Alex Murdaugh’s defense is seeking information about allegations that a police chief handled weapons linked to the killings of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh. A former prosecutor called the effort an uncorroborated “wild goose chase” as the case returns to court for an evidentiary hearing. The hearing will also address DNA, ballistics, cellphone records and crime-scene data ahead of Murdaugh’s scheduled retrial on April 5, 2027. Murdaugh maintains his innocence, while prosecutors have said they will provide evidence when legally required.
| 1) | Friday’s hearing and retrial timeline |
| 2) | Defense requests for scientific and digital evidence |
| 3) | Allegations involving the missing weapons |
| 4) | Responses from the police chief and prosecutors |
| 5) | Expert assessment of the defense strategy |
Friday’s hearing and retrial timeline
The hearing is scheduled for Friday morning at 10 a.m. in South Carolina as prosecutors and defense attorneys prepare for Murdaugh’s second murder trial. The proceedings will address several evidentiary motions, with another hearing set for Nov. 13. Murdaugh was convicted in 2023 of killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, at the family’s Moselle property in Colleton County.
The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned those convictions after finding that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced the jury. The retrial is scheduled to begin April 5, 2027. The defense continues to challenge the state’s evidence, while Murdaugh has denied responsibility for the killings.
Defense requests for scientific and digital evidence
Murdaugh’s lawyers are seeking additional examination of DNA collected from beneath Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails and from swabs of her cellphone. After testing by Othram Inc., the defense argued that more work is needed to identify a partial male DNA profile that it says the state crime lab had detected but did not fully investigate.
The defense also wants raw data from a FARO laser scan conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at the crime scene. Prosecutors previously provided a read-only viewer file in 2022, but the defense says the underlying data is necessary to independently reconstruct the scene. Other requests include raw cellphone data and information about shootings in surrounding counties involving .300 Blackout cartridge cases or projectiles.
Allegations involving the missing weapons
A late-September defense filing asks prosecutors to provide information about the handling, transport, concealment or disposal of the alleged weapons used to kill Maggie and Paul. The request refers to testimony reportedly given to state investigators in 2023 concerning Greg Alexander, the police chief of Yemassee.
The filing alleges that witnesses said Alexander was seen with the weapons shortly after the June 7, 2021, killings. It also refers to an allegation that another Yemassee officer was investigated over the transport and concealment of weapons and clothing. The reports cited in the filing have not been corroborated, and the weapons were never recovered by police.
Responses from the police chief and prosecutors
Alexander, through his attorney Joe McCulloch, denied the accusations reported in the media. McCulloch said the same explanation had been provided to investigators and rejected the allegations as rumors and gossip.
“The truth will outlive any ridiculous rumors and gossip,” McCulloch said.
In an Oct. 8 filing, prosecutors neither confirmed nor denied whether the matter could be under investigation. They said grand jury proceedings are confidential and that information would be disclosed when legally required. Prosecutors also described the defense’s ballistics request as a speculative fishing expedition and said the requested cellphone data had already been produced in 2022.
Expert assessment of the defense strategy
Former prosecutor Joshua Ritter said the defense is pursuing an uncorroborated allegation with little apparent basis for judicial relief. He said the judge may allow the defense to obtain evidence to which it is legally entitled but is unlikely to permit an expansive search based only on an unverified report.
“I don’t see any reason for the judge to allow for this essentially wild goose chase in regards to an uncorroborated report about law enforcement perhaps being in possession of the murder weapon,” Ritter said.
Ritter characterized some of the recent filings as borderline delay tactics and said he did not expect the Friday hearing to postpone the retrial. He also acknowledged that the defense has the right to seek independent testing and access to discovery, particularly because the proceedings are entering a second trial.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Murdaugh’s retrial is scheduled for April 5, 2027. |
| 2 | The defense is seeking additional DNA, ballistics, cellphone and laser-scan evidence. |
| 3 | Claims involving Police Chief Greg Alexander have not been corroborated. |
| 4 | Prosecutors say they will disclose protected information when legally required. |
Summary
The upcoming hearing will test the scope of the defense’s discovery requests but is not currently expected to alter the retrial schedule. The missing weapons allegations remain disputed and unverified. The court will determine which evidence must be provided as the parties prepare for a renewed examination of the 2021 killings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the defense seeking about the missing weapons?
The defense wants investigative records, witness interviews and grand jury-related information concerning the alleged handling, transport, concealment or disposal of the weapons.
Who has been named in the allegations?
The filing refers to Greg Alexander, the Yemassee police chief, and to an unnamed second Yemassee officer. The claims have not been corroborated, and Alexander has denied them through his attorney.
When is Murdaugh’s retrial scheduled?
The retrial is scheduled to begin April 5, 2027, following the reversal of his 2023 convictions over jury influence findings.