MORNING HEADLINES | A new judge in South Carolina’s double murder case against convicted felon Alex Murdaugh, who is accused of killing his wife and son in 2021, on Monday set a retrial for April 2027. The case is returning to the courtroom after the State Supreme Court ruled last month that the first trial involved jury interference from the court’s clerk.
The April retrial date will give whoever voters choose as the state’s next attorney general about four months to get familiar with the inner workings of the state’s highest-profile case in years, said Judge Debra McCaslin.
McCaslin proposed when the trial would take place, but she didn’t suggest where. Instead, she asked attorneys on both sides to discuss potential locations. If they can agree on a spot, she’ll take that under consideration, she said. If not, she’ll choose for them.
The date could change depending on the timing of an enhanced DNA test Murdaugh’s attorneys want to run. The test could help bolster the defense’s case that someone else was responsible for the killings, said Griffin and fellow defense attorney Dick Harpootlian.
McCaslin will decide on that issue after Murdaugh’s next pretrial hearing, which is scheduled for Aug. 14 in Lexington County.
Murdaugh remains in prison after pleading guilty to stealing about $12 million from his legal clients in a separate case. He is serving a 40-year federal sentence and a 27-year state sentence for those charges.
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In weekend headlines
WEATHER: Heat dome brings scorching heat this holiday weekend. The country’s 250th anniversary celebrations across South Carolina will take place under potentially dangerous heat conditions, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s to near 100 degrees across large portions of the state.
You could attend a World Cup watch party at Credit One Stadium next week. Uptown Hospitality Group plans on hosting two more World Cup watch parties: one in Camden Alley by Share House downtown on July 1 and another at Credit One Stadium on July 6 if the U.S. beats Bosnia and Herzegovina this week.
Three sentenced in North Charleston federal corruption probe. Former North Charleston City Councilman Mike Brown, nonprofit leader Michelle Stent-Hilton and Core4Success founder Donavan Moten are among eight people charged in the FBI probe. All three pleaded guilty ahead of their sentencing hearings.
Charleston Co. to build two early learning centers on James Island. The centers will be built at James Island Elementary School and Stiles Point Elementary School and will serve a total of 500 students. Both projects cost a total of $38.5 million and will help the school district expand their childhood opportunities for young learners.
Charleston Co. plans more parking for Shem Creek. A popular, and often crowded, boat landing on Shem Creek will gain over a dozen new parking spots in a long-planned expansion by the Charleston County Parks and Recreation Commission.
Lowcountry American Cross warns of blood supply shortage. The American Red Cross is reporting a 20% drop in blood supplies in the last few weeks since entering what the organization calls “trauma season.”
MUSC president announces retirement next year. Medical University of South Carolina president Dr. David J. Cole says he is stepping down next year after 13 years at the helm. Cole joined MUSC in 1994 and was appointed president in 2014.
Melvin’s BBQ owner offers tips and tricks for barbecuing at home. David Bessinger, the third-generation chef and owner of Melvin’s BBQ and grandson of Joseph Bessinger, has a few tips for those looking to re-create their barbecue favorites at home during the summer grilling season.
Goings on around town
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