‘Wife Killer’ Alex Murdaugh’s Convictions Overturned —Judge Orders New Trial, Murdaugh to Remain in Prison

A prominent South County attorney was convicted in March 2023 for the 2021 killing of his wife and his son. However, on May 13, 2026, his murder convictions were overturned by the state’s Supreme Court. He will now be given a new trial.

Alex Murdaugh, 57, was found guilty of killing his wife, Maggie, and his son, Paul, at the family’s estate. In September 2023, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a series of financial crimes as well.

Murdaugh’s legal team is now pushing for a new trial, accusing county clerk Becky Hill of “improper” conduct. South Carolina Attorney General Alan 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."

Murdaugh's legal team has claimed that Hill tampered with the jury. She allegedly advised the jury not to believe in his testimony and to reach a quick verdict. She allegedly also misrepresented information during the trial.

Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, who are representing Murdaugh, said in a statement, “The Supreme Court's decision today affirms that the rule of law remains strong in South Carolina. The Court found that Becky Hill's conduct during the trial attacked Alex Murdaugh's credibility and his defense. The Court rightly described her conduct as 'breathtaking,' 'disgraceful,' and 'unprecedented in South Carolina.'"

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled 5-0 in Mudaugh’s favor. The court said that the jury’s "efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury."

In January 2024, Murdaugh’s appeal for a new trial was rejected by an appeals court, but the Supreme Court has ruled differently. The court wrote in a statement, “Our justice system provides—indeed demands—that every person is entitled to a fair trial, which includes an impartial jury untainted by external forces bent on influencing the jury toward a biased verdict.”

"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,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Hill herself was arrested in May 2025 for her misconduct during the trial. She was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and perjury. At her sentencing, Hill said, “There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them.”