Court overturns Murdaugh murder convictions, orders new trial

In a 5-0 ruling, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's 2023 murder convictions and ordered a new trial, saying Hill biased the jury and denied him a fair trial. The justices cited juror affidavits about Hill’s comments and noted she had published a tell-all book about the proceedings, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, which was pulled from publication for plagiarism. They also said too much evidence from the federal financial crimes case had been allowed at the murder trial, creating a danger of unfair prejudice.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, obstruction of justice and perjury related to accusations she misused public funds and shared sealed court information with a reporter.

At a separate trial, Murdaugh was sentenced to 40 years in prison for federal financial crimes.

A jury found Murdaugh guilty of the murders, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

The killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh occurred in June 2021 near the family dog kennels. A six-week murder trial followed, culminating in a 2023 conviction.