LEXINGTON, S.C. — A former prosecutor has criticized Alex Murdaugh’s defense team, suggesting their pursuit of claims regarding a police chief handling alleged murder weapons is misdirected. This comes as the case returns to court, scheduled for Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Murdaugh was initially convicted in 2023 for murdering his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the Moselle property in Colleton County. However, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his convictions, identifying improper jury influence by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. Murdaugh’s retrial is set for April 5, 2027, as he continues to assert his innocence.
Friday’s hearing will involve motions concerning evidentiary items such as DNA evidence linked to Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernail clippings and cell phone swabs, ballistics evidence, and raw crime scene data, including a FARO laser scan. A separate hearing on November 13 will also address motions.
Murdaugh’s defense has requested DNA evidence analysis from Othram, Inc., insisting further assessment is needed to extract a male DNA profile. They claim the state crime lab identified the profile without conducting a comprehensive investigation.
The defense has also requested testing of the partial DNA profile from Maggie’s phone swabs. Additionally, they seek information on shootings involving .300 Blackout cases near the crime scene and raw data from a 3D laser scan conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Prosecutors have provided a read-only viewer file previously, but defense attorneys argue for access to raw data to reconstruct the scene.
Defense attorneys allege that Greg Alexander, Yemassee Police Chief, was reportedly seen with murder weapons following the June 7, 2021 killings. These claims are rooted in press reports suggesting Alexander spoke about arriving early at the scene and assisting Murdaugh.
The Post and Courier reported allegations that Alexander had possession of the murder weapons and a Yemassee officer is investigated for transporting and concealing related evidence.
During Murdaugh’s first trial, prosecutors stated he used two weapons to murder his family, cleaned up, changed clothes, and drove to his parents’ house, allegedly returning later to dispose of the weapons. Police have not recovered the murder weapons.
Prosecutors’ October 8 filing highlights the confidentiality of grand jury proceedings. They state that they will disclose relevant information when legally required.
Alexander, through attorney Joe McCulloch, refuted the accusations, emphasizing truth over rumors.
Joshua Ritter, a former prosecutor, considers the allegations against Alexander a distraction without corroboration. He suggests the defense seeks extensive pursuit, though the judge may limit proceedings on uncorroborated claims.
Ritter perceives Murdaugh’s recent filings as possible delay tactics, asserting the defense’s right to thoroughly protect their client and demand comprehensive evidence access for independent testing.
He predicts Friday’s hearing will ensure essential evidentiary access but should not cause retrial postponement, with Judge Debra McCaslin addressing concerns.
Fox News Digital sought comments from Murdaugh’s defense team.