Alex Murdaugh appeals double murder convictions, asks SC Supreme Court for new trial

By Jocelyn Grzeszczak jgrzeszczak@postandcourier.com
Dec 11, 2024 Updated Dec 11, 2024


Alex Murdaugh, pictured in March 2023 at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, appealed his double murder convictions on Dec. 10, 2024. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool
awhitaker@postandcourier.com

Serial fraudster and disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaugh has formally appealed his double-murder convictions and asked for a new trial, arguing the six-week proceeding and its ensuing fallout were littered with prejudice. ... Murdaugh's defense attorneys filed the 132-page brief Dec. 10 in the S.C. Supreme Court.

They accused the original judge of improperly allowing state prosecutors to introduce testimony about Murdaugh's financial crimes. They attacked prosecutors' use of some forensic evidence, calling it unfair and unreliable. And they pointed to evidence of jury tampering uncovered after the March 2023 trial. ... The five justices agreed in August to take jurisdiction of the case, which combines two separate appeals.

A Colleton County jury found Murdaugh guilty in March 2023 of gunning down his wife Maggie and son, Paul, at the family's hunting property. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman handed him back-to-back life sentences. The lengthy trial captivated the world, spawning documentaries, podcasts and book deals.

Murdaugh, 56, quickly appealed the convictions. The state appellate court agreed to pause those proceedings seven months later after his attorneys filed a new motion accusing Colleton County's top court official of jury tampering. ... They argued the clerk of court's influence meant Murdaugh deserved a total do-over. A judge ultimately denied that request, leading Murdaugh to file another appeal. ... The S.C. Supreme Court is now mulling both appeals. Murdaugh's lawyers outlined in the Dec. 10 filing why he believes his original convictions should be tossed and he should get a new trial.

{snip}