Prosecutors Determined To Pursue Death Sentence In Alex Murdaugh Retrial After Double Murder Convictions Were Overturned

Alex Murdaugh has been granted a new trial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his double-murder convictions on May 13, 2026. The court ruled that former Colleton County clerk Becky Hill engaged in “shocking jury interference,” denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial.

Now that Alex Murdaugh has been granted a new trial in the killings of his wife and son, prosecutors say they are considering seeking the death penalty. In a statement to NBC News on May 18, Alan Wilson said, “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.”

On May 13, when the state’s Supreme Court first ruled the prior convictions as overturned, Wilson said, “While we respectfully disagree with the court's decision, my office will aggressively seek to retry Alex Murdaugh for the murders of Maggie and Paul as soon as possible.”

He added, “Let me be clear—this decision does not mean Murdaugh will be released. He will remain in prison for his financial crimes. No one is above the law, and, as always, we will continue to fight for justice.”

In his new statement, the attorney general said, “Our justice system provides—indeed demands—that every person be entitled to a fair trial, which includes an impartial jury untainted by external forces bent on influencing the jury toward a biased verdict.”

Murdaugh was previously convicted of killing his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul, 22, in June 2021. Before the mistrial, he received two consecutive life sentences. Following the court’s new ruling, his attorneys are feeling positive about the new trial.

Murdaugh’s attorney, Jim Griffin, said on the Today show, “On a retrial, the statistics are in favor of a defendant because you have a lot more recorded testimony of witnesses, you can impeach them with inconsistencies, and so it'll be a totally different trial, I promise you.”

The lawyers also emphasized that Murdaigh will not accept a plea deal “under any circumstances.”

Despite the new ruling, he continues to stay behind bars serving his concurrent federal and state sentences for financial crimes committed around the time of the murders. Meanwhile, Becky Hill, who played a key role in the mistrial, pleaded guilty to perjury in December 2025.

She was also found guilty of sharing sealed exhibits with the media. Bill was sentenced to three years on probation.