COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh’s double murder convictions and life sentence, ordering a new trial in the June 2021 killings of his wife and younger son after finding that the Colleton County clerk of court tampered with the jury.
In a 5 to 0 decision, the justices ruled that former Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill exercised improper external influences on the jury during the 2023 trial, denying Murdaugh his constitutional right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.
“Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury,” the justices wrote in the unsigned 27 page opinion. “Our justice system provides, indeed demands, that every person is entitled to a fair trial.”
What the Court Found
The court determined that Hill made a series of improper comments to jurors during the six week trial. According to the ruling, Hill told jurors on the day Murdaugh testified that it was “an important day” or “an epic day” and instructed them to watch his body language closely. The court also found Hill told jurors “not to be fooled” by the defense and warned them that the defense would “try to confuse you.”
The justices wrote that Hill “became a character witness on behalf of the State, encouraging the jurors to question Murdaugh’s credibility” and “essentially implored the jurors to find him guilty.”
The court called Hill’s conduct “breathtaking and disgraceful” and described it as unprecedented in South Carolina. The opinion concluded that Hill’s motive was tied to a book she was writing about the case, titled “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders,” which was later pulled from publication after plagiarism allegations.
“As her book’s title suggests, it turns out Hill was quite busy behind the doors of justice, thwarting the integrity of the justice system she was sworn to protect and uphold,” the justices wrote.
Hill has since pleaded guilty to criminal charges connected to her conduct during the trial.
Financial Crimes Evidence Also Faulted
The Supreme Court additionally found that the trial court allowed the prosecution to go too far in presenting evidence of Murdaugh’s financial crimes. While some evidence was permissible to establish motive, the justices ruled the State spent roughly 12.5 hours over ten days on financial crimes testimony and could have made the same point in a fraction of that time.
The ruling praised the trial prosecutors, defense team, and trial judge for their work, placing responsibility for the reversal on Hill alone.
Murdaugh Remains in Prison
Although his murder convictions and two life sentences have been vacated, the 57 year old will not be released. Murdaugh is currently serving a 40 year federal sentence and a concurrent 27 year state sentence for stealing roughly $12 million from clients and his law firm.
Murdaugh was convicted on March 2, 2023, of murdering his wife, Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, and their 22 year old son, Paul Murdaugh, at the family’s Colleton County property on June 7, 2021. He has consistently denied killing them.
Response From Both Sides
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said his office respectfully disagreed with the decision and vowed to retry the case.
“No one is above the law and, as always, we will continue to fight for justice,” Wilson said in a statement, adding that prosecutors will “aggressively seek to retry” Murdaugh as soon as possible.
Murdaugh’s attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, praised the ruling.
“The Supreme Court’s decision today affirms that the rule of law remains strong in South Carolina,” they said in a statement. “We look forward to a new trial conducted consistent with the Constitution and the guidance this Court has provided.”
Harpootlian confirmed Murdaugh will remain in custody pending the new trial.
What Comes Next
The case now returns to the lower court for a new murder trial. No date has been set. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on February 11, 2026.
Sources
- South Carolina Supreme Court Opinion No. 28329
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