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The murder convictions of disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh were dramatically overturned Wednesday. A new trial was ordered by the South Carolina Supreme Court.

The court ruled that improper conduct involving a court clerk compromised the integrity of his original trial.

In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the state’s highest court ordered a new trial in the June 2021 killings of Murdaugh’s wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, marking another extraordinary twist in one of the nation’s most closely followed true-crime cases.

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According to the ruling, justices concluded they had “no choice” but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s earlier request for a new trial because of what the court described as “improper external influences on the jury” involving former Colleton County clerk Becky Hill.

Additional legal information regarding South Carolina courts is available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch.

New Trial Ordered Jury Was Improperly Influenced

Murdaugh’s attorneys argued during the appeal process that Becky Hill improperly communicated with jurors during the highly publicized 2023 murder trial. Defense lawyers alleged Hill made comments suggesting jurors should closely observe Murdaugh’s behavior and body language, implying his guilt.

Several jurors reportedly confirmed hearing such comments in sworn statements and testimony, although others said they did not recall them.

Previous Rulings Influenced by Celebrity

Retired Chief Justice Jean Toal previously ruled in January 2024 that Hill’s remarks did not ultimately affect the verdict. However, Toal also sharply criticized Hill’s conduct, describing her as “attracted by the siren call of celebrity.”

The controversy intensified after Hill herself became the subject of criminal charges.

According to prosecutors, Hill was later accused of misconduct involving the release of sealed court materials and allegations that she used her role during the Murdaugh trial to help promote a book she wrote about the case. Court records indicate Hill pleaded guilty in late 2025 to charges including obstruction of justice and misconduct in office.

Coverage of the case and court proceedings has appeared through CNN, Associated Press, and Court TV.

Alex Murdaugh Case Became National Obsession

The Murdaugh saga has captivated the country for years, generating documentaries, podcasts, television specials, and books focused on the shocking collapse of a once-powerful South Carolina legal dynasty.