Retrial moved out of Colleton County
Judge McCaslin kept the April 5, 2027 start date but ruled that jury selection and trial will occur outside Colleton County. The replacement venue was not selected at the hearing.
State of South Carolina v. Richard Alexander MurdaughCase Nos. 2022-GS-15-00592–00595
Alex Murdaugh murder retrial
The South Carolina Supreme Court set aside the 2023 murder convictions and ordered a new trial. Trial is scheduled for April 5, 2027, before Judge Debra R. McCaslin and will take place outside Colleton County.
- Scheduled start
- April 5, 2027
- Judge
- Debra R. McCaslin
- Venue
- Outside Colleton County; replacement pending
- Record
- Pretrial; no retrial transcript yet
Since the Supreme Court decision
Orders and hearings
- Retrial
- Retrial
Judge McCaslin assigned to the retrial
The Chief Justice vested Judge Debra R. McCaslin with exclusive jurisdiction over the indictments, including any future retrial and related motions.
- Appeal
Remittitur sent to the circuit court
The appellate docket records the remittitur, returning jurisdiction to the circuit court after the Supreme Court's decision.
- Appeal
Supreme Court orders a new trial
The court reversed the denial of Murdaugh's new-trial motion and remanded the murder case for a new trial. The Attorney General announced that the State would retry the charges.
Primary records and reporting
Source documents
Court OpinionOpinion No. 28329, State v. MurdaughSupreme Court of South Carolina · May 13, 2026Court OrderOrder assigning Judge Debra R. McCaslinSupreme Court of South Carolina · June 8, 2026Court DocketAppellate Case 2023-000392South Carolina Judicial Branch · May 29, 2026Prosecutor StatementAttorney General announces intent to retry the murder chargesSouth Carolina Attorney General · May 13, 2026News ReportJudge moves retrial out of Colleton CountyAssociated Press · August 14, 2026