Story perspectives

SC Supreme Court Overturns Murdaugh Murder Convictions, State Plans Retrial

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The state Supreme Court reversed Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions, ruling clerk Becky Hill’s juror comments and excessive financial-crime evidence created prejudice.
Attorney General Alan Wilson said his office will aggressively seek to retry Murdaugh for the murders despite disagreeing with the ruling.
Murdaugh remains incarcerated on 40-year and 27-year fraud sentences, after clerk Becky Hill pleaded guilty to obstruction, perjury and misconduct for leaking sealed photos and promoting a book.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 United States Supreme Court decision in United States v. Booker mandated that federal sentencing guidelines become advisory, reshaping appellate review. Justice John Paul Stevens authored the majority opinion, noting that 85 % of federal sentences had previously been dictated by mandatory guidelines. Similarly, the South Carolina Supreme Court’s 2024 reversal of Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions cited juror prejudice and excessive financial-crime evidence, echoing Booker’s emphasis on procedural fairness. The precedent suggests future South Carolina appeals, including those by Attorney General Alan Wilson, will scrutinize evidentiary bias, potentially reshaping state criminal jurisprudence.

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Story summary

The state Supreme Court reversed Alex Murdaugh’s murder convictions, ruling clerk Becky Hill’s juror comments and excessive financial-crime evidence created prejudice.
Attorney General Alan Wilson said his office will aggressively seek to retry Murdaugh for the murders despite disagreeing with the ruling.
Murdaugh remains incarcerated on 40-year and 27-year fraud sentences, after clerk Becky Hill pleaded guilty to obstruction, perjury and misconduct for leaking sealed photos and promoting a book.

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