SC attorney general vows to retry Alex Murdaugh after conviction overturned
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson addresses the state’s intent to pursue a retrial for Alex Murdaugh. This follows the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Murdaugh’s 2023 double murder conviction, citing improper jury influence by court clerk Becky Hill. Wilson states his office will ensure justice for Maggie and Paul Murdaugh.
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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said Friday that prosecutors could seek the death penalty against Alex Murdaugh if he is found guilty again at a new trial after the state Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions.
“In light of the Supreme Court’s decision, we’re back to square one on this case, and that means all our legal options are on the table, including the death penalty,” Wilson said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday vacated Murdaugh’s 2023 convictions in the fatal shootings of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and younger son, Paul Murdaugh. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for those killings.
ALEX MURDAUGH’S DOUBLE MURDER CONVICTION UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNED BY SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT
Alex Murdaugh is sentenced to life in prison after conviction in double murder trial during his sentencing at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Friday, March 3, 2023 after he was found guilty on all four counts. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool)
The court ordered a new trial, saying that Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill, who served as the court clerk in Colleton County, exercised “improper external influences” during Murdaugh’s first trial.
The state Supreme Court voted unanimously on the decision.
“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” their ruling said.
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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson shakes hands with the bailiff at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on March 3, 2023, after Alex Murdaugh was found guilty on all four counts. (Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool)
According to testimony reviewed by the court, jurors said Hill told them to “watch him closely,” “watch his actions,” and not be “fooled” by the defense.
One juror recalled “that Hill told the jurors not to be fooled by the evidence Murdaugh’s defense presented,” according to the document, saying, “They’re going to say things that will try to confuse you. Don’t let them confuse you or convince you or throw you off.”
The documents say Hill tried to “insert herself into the jury’s deliberations through these comments was in line with her stated desire for a guilty verdict to sell more copies of the book she planned to write.”
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A photo of the Murdaugh family taken days before Paul and Maggie Murdaugh were shot to death. From left, Buster, Paul, Maggie and Alex Murdaugh. (Defense exhibit)
ALEX MURDAUGH: TIMELINE OF THE ONCE POWERFUL SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYER’S SPECTACULAR DOWNFALL
The ruling references the post-trial court’s finding that, “Hill was attracted by the siren call of celebrity” and “allowed her desire for the public attention of the moment to overcome her duty to her oath of office.”
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“Accordingly, we hold Murdaugh’s right to a fair trial by an impartial jury was violated, and the post-trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial,” the ruling says.
Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill smiles after pleading guilty on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in St. Matthews, S.C. Hill pleaded guilty Monday to showing sealed exhibits from Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial and other charges. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Collins)
In December 2025, Hill pleaded guilty to four charges — obstruction of justice and perjury for showing a reporter photographs that were sealed court exhibits and then lying about it, plus two counts of misconduct in office for taking bonuses and promoting a book she wrote on the trial through her public office.
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“There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life,” Hill said in a statement read to the court.
She was sentenced to three years of probation.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Murdaugh’s lead defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, for comment.
