Lexington County, SC - A motion hearing was held in a Lexington County courtroom on Monday, marking the first court appearance by Alex Murdaugh since his guilty conviction was overturned earlier this year. The state Supreme Court had ruled that new evidence would be presented during the retrial.
Murdaugh's attorneys are planning to bring eight new expert witnesses to the stand and have requested access to a laptop or iPad to review evidence from behind bars. Judge Debra McCaslin has scheduled Murdaugh's next hearing for August 14, with an April 5 trial date tentatively set for next year.
The retrial is dependent on further pretrial hearings, motions, and updates to evidence, including independent retesting of DNA found underneath Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails. This process could take six months or more.
Background: Alex Murdaugh was tried and found guilty in 2023 of killing his son and wife in 2021. The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned that verdict in May 2026, paving the way for a retrial. Former Court Clerk Becky Hill pleaded guilty to charges related to interference with the 2023 murder trial in December 2025.
The motion hearing has begun shaping how the retrial will proceed, including scheduling and what evidence will be allowed going forward. The date for the trial remains largely tentative as it is heavily dependent on further pretrial hearings, motions, and updates to evidence.