Murdaugh’s retrial to be in Sumter County

MORNING HEADLINES | The retrial of former lawyer Alex Murdaugh on charges of murdering his wife and younger son will take place in Sumter County.

“The court finds that Sumter County provides an appropriate forum in which Defendant can receive a fair trial, while also offering the security measures, courtroom facilities and technological capabilities necessary for the safe, orderly and efficient conduct of these proceedings,” S.C. Circuit Judge Debra McCaslin wrote in a new order.

A retrial, which will start in April 2027, was granted after the state Supreme Court in May overturned Murdaugh’s 2023 conviction. His defense argued the original trial’s jury in Colleton County was compromised during the sensational trial that made global headlines.

Before McCaslin made the decision to hold the retrial in Sumter, Murdaugh’s defense lawyers argued for the proceedings to be held in Charleston or Richland counties, while prosecutors argued for Florence, Lancaster, Newberry, Spartanburg or York counties.

Murdaugh is serving a 27-year state sentence and a concurrent 40-year federal sentence for financial fraud, money laundering and other crimes. He will remain in state prison as he awaits the double-murder retrial.

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