Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 30

Prosecutors Fight Murdaugh DNA Retest, Judge Bars In-Cell Laptop Ahead of 2027 Retrial

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jun 30

Prosecutors Fight Murdaugh DNA Retest, Judge Bars In-Cell Laptop Ahead of 2027 Retrial

Q: A video placed Murdaugh at the murder scene. What is the defense's new plan to challenge this star evidence?

Murdaugh’s lawyers say they do have a strategy to attack the kennel video, but they have not disclosed what it is. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian said only that the team “absolutely” has a plan and knows the video “has got to be dealt with.” What is public so far is the broader defense approach around that evidence. The team is exploring new forensic avenues, especially testing the unknown male DNA reportedly found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails, and could use that to argue investigators developed tunnel vision and failed to pursue other suspects. That would not erase the video, which places Murdaugh at the kennels shortly before the killings, but it could be used to weaken the prosecution’s claim that the video effectively proves he was the killer. The defense is also expected to challenge how the state presents the video in the retrial and to attack the overall investigation as flawed. Harpootlian has already signaled that the first investigation involved “blunder after blunder,” suggesting the retrial strategy will be to undermine the reliability of the state’s case even if the video itself remains in evidence. So, the direct answer is that the defense has acknowledged a new plan to confront the kennel video, but the specifics remain undisclosed; the visible strategy around it is to pair that challenge with alternative-suspect DNA testing and a broader attack on the investigation.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 30

South Carolina prosecutors asked the court to reject Alex Murdaugh’s bid for independent retesting of DNA from Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails and opposed his request for electronic case access in prison.
State filings said the fingernail sample already yielded Maggie’s DNA plus only a very partial, incomplete second profile—too limited for CODIS—and argued touch DNA could come from casual contact, objects or the environment.
Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA request Monday, instead telling defense lawyers to clarify whether any sample remains viable for further testing by Othram or another outside lab.
McCaslin did block Murdaugh from keeping a laptop in his cell, citing the warden’s safety concerns, but said lawyers could review encrypted case materials with him in a conference room under supervision.
The motions come as Murdaugh prepares for an April 5, 2027 retrial after South Carolina’s Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions in May over jury tampering by former clerk Becky Hill.