Alex Murdaugh retrial will be moved to Sumter County, judge orders

In an eight-page court order released by Fourteenth Judicial Circuit on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 8, the court found that Sumter County is “best suited” for the retrial of disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh.

The court stated “Sumter County is an appropriate venue for the retrial” as Murdaugh would have an “appropriate forum” to receive a fair trial.

The county would also offer security measures, courtroom facilities and technological capabilities necessary for the safe, orderly and efficient conduct of these proceedings, the order stated. 

Murdaugh’s defense attorney, Richard “Dick” Harpootlian, recently wanted the retrial to take place in Richland County. The request was denied.

In May, South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions of his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son, Paul. He was also charged with two counts of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The court found that Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced the jury, undermining Murdaugh’s right to a fair trial. 

Murdaugh remains in prison for financial crimes, including federal and state sentences.

The former attorney was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2024 for 22 federal financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; bank fraud; wire fraud; and money laundering, according to U.S. Department of Justice.

Murdaugh was a personal injury attorney at a law firm in Hampton. He pleaded guilty to 22 federal crimes in September 2023, admitting to engaging in three different schemes to obtain money and property from his personal injury clients.

The tentative date for the retrial is April 5, 2027. 

This is an ongoing story and more information will be released as it becomes available.  To sign up for free breaking news alerts, go to www.theitem.com/newsletter.