Margaret and Paul Murdaugh are killed at Moselle
Margaret Kennedy Branstetter Murdaugh and Paul Terry Murdaugh were shot and killed at the family's Colleton County property.
Case timeline
Alex Murdaugh murder case timeline
Major events from the June 2021 killings through the first trial, the challenge to the verdicts, and the murder retrial now scheduled for April 2027.
- Events
- 11
- Span
- 2021–2027
- Retrial
- Apr. 5, 2027
2021–2022
Killings and charges
The June 2021 homicides at Moselle and the murder indictments returned the following year.
- Homicides
- Charges
Grand jury returns the murder indictments
The Colleton County grand jury indicted Richard Alexander Murdaugh on two murder counts and two counts of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
January–March 2023
The first trial
Jury selection, six weeks of evidence, guilty verdicts, and two consecutive life sentences.
- Trial
Jury qualification begins
The certified trial transcript begins with jury qualification in Colleton County before Judge Clifton Newman. Opening statements followed on January 25.
- Verdict
Jury returns guilty verdicts
The jury found Murdaugh guilty of two counts of murder and two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
- Sentencing
Two consecutive life sentences imposed
Judge Newman imposed a life sentence for each murder and ordered the terms to run consecutively.
2023–2024
New-trial litigation
The defense challenged the verdicts based on allegations involving the Colleton County Clerk of Court.
- Motion
Motion for a new trial filed
Murdaugh sought a new trial based on allegations that the Colleton County Clerk of Court improperly influenced jurors.
- Ruling
New-trial motion denied
After evidentiary hearings on January 26 and 29, the circuit court denied the motion. That ruling later became part of the consolidated appeal.
2026–2027
Reversal and retrial
The Supreme Court ordered a new trial and the circuit court began setting the schedule, judge, and venue.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Retrial
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.