Murdaugh retrial: judge allows DNA testing but denies ballistics search

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 16 Oct, 23:02 · Archive

Judge McCaslin ruled that Murdaugh's defence can conduct independent DNA testing on remaining samples from the double murder case ahead of his April 2027 retrial.

Judge Debra McCaslin of Lexington County Courthouse held an evidentiary hearing Friday to address disputes between Murdaugh's defence team and state prosecutors ahead of the retrial scheduled for April 5, 2027, in Sumter County.

The state had argued that independent DNA testing could permanently consume remaining samples from Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails and phone, leaving nothing for future testing. Prosecutors said the defence had already received relevant DNA reports and the case file before the first trial. McCaslin ruled in the defence's favour, stating that the unknown DNA recovered under the victim's fingernails has potential to identify individuals connected to the offence or exclude them from suspicion. 'In this case, the unknown DNA recovered below the victim's fingernails, possibly on the side of the cell phone, has a potential to identify individuals connected to the offense or at least say somebody was not tied to the cell phone and also the fingernails,' McCaslin said.

The judge denied the defence's request for extensive ballistic testing. Murdaugh's attorneys had asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to compile a list of every shooting and homicide since January 2021 in which Blackout shell casings were recovered, to check for matches to the murder weapon. McCaslin ruled that such information could be addressed in the courtroom rather than through discovery, finding that the defence had not demonstrated the information was material to preparing their defence.

How it is being reported

• Judge sets limits as Murdaugh defense, prosecutors argue over DNA, ballistics evidenceEx-South Carolina lawyer and accused killer Alex Murdaugh was back in court on Friday.WISTV · 16 Oct, 23:23
• Judge rules on DNA testing, evidence motions ahead of Murdaugh retrialA judge issued several rulings Friday on motions ahead of Alex Murdaugh’s double murder retrial, following an urgent hearing prompted by continuing disagreements between the state and Murdaugh’s attorneys.Live5News · 16 Oct, 22:41
• Murdaugh defense, prosecutors head back to court ahead of retrialAhead of Alex Murdaugh’s double murder retrial next year, his defense and state prosecutors are headed back to court today.WISTV · 16 Oct, 10:18

In this story: Alex Murdaugh · Maggie Murdaugh · Paul Murdaugh · Judge Debra McCaslin · Lexington County Courthouse · South Carolina Law Enforcement Division · Sumter County

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