Prosecutors may pursue death penalty in retrial of Alex Murdaugh

追加: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]To the dramatic turn in the Alec Murdoch case, just days after that stunning reversal of his double murder conviction, South Carolina prosecutors say he could now face the death penalty in a new murder trial. Here's ABC's Andrew Dimburg.

[00:00:14]Tonight, the stunning new twist in the Alec Murdoch murder saga. Prosecutors in South Carolina signaling they may now pursue the death penalty in retrial after Murdoch's convictions for murdering his wife and son in their home in 2021 were overturned. In a statement, the South Carolina Attorney General saying, "We're back to square one in this case, and that means all our legal options are on the table, including the death penalty." While we strongly disagree with the Supreme Court, we respect its decision. It's currently my intention to seek a speedy retrial. Earlier this week, the state Supreme Court overturned Murdoch's murder convictions, the justices citing what they called shocking jury interference by former county clerk Becky Hill, who they say placed her fingers on the scales of justice and denied Murdoch his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury. After they say she told some jurors not to be fooled by Murdoch's defense and to watch him closely when he testified. Hill denies these allegations. The state versus Richard Alexander Murdoch, guilty verdict. The jury later reaching a guilty verdict on those murder charges in less than 3 hours. Hill would resign soon after and plead guilty to perjury and misconduct charges. One juror telling me she was surprised the convictions were overturned. I never felt that she was pushing an agenda with me, so I never felt that she was trying to get me to vote either way.

[00:01:37]Now, Murdoch will still serve a 40-year federal sentence and a 27-year state sentence on separate financial crimes.

[00:01:43]His attorneys believe they can win at retrial on those murder charges with a new jury. Whit?

[00:01:48]>> A lot more to come on this case. Andrew Dimburg, thank you.