Alex Murdaugh Continues to Deny Killing Wife and Son as He Appeals Convictions

Murdaugh's lawyers argue trial judge made rulings that prevented a fair trial, while prosecutors say evidence against him was overwhelming.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Alex Murdaugh has admitted to being a thief, liar, insurance cheat, drug addict, and bad lawyer, but he continues to adamantly deny that he killed his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, in June 2021. Murdaugh's attorneys argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court, asking the justices to overturn his two murder convictions and life sentence. The defense claims the trial judge made rulings that prevented a fair trial, such as allowing in evidence of Murdaugh stealing from clients that had nothing to do with the killings. Prosecutors argued the evidence against Murdaugh was overwhelming, but Murdaugh's lawyer said that didn't matter because a court clerk's comments to jurors removed his presumption of innocence.

Why it matters

The Murdaugh case continues to captivate the public, with streaming miniseries, best-selling books, and dozens of true crime podcasts about how the multimillionaire Southern lawyer, whose family dominated the legal system in tiny Hampton County, ended up in a maximum-security prison. The state Supreme Court's decision could have impacts well beyond the courtroom, as Republican South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, a candidate in the upcoming governor's race, sat at the prosecution table.

The details

Murdaugh's lawyers argued the trial judge made rulings that prevented a fair trial, such as allowing in evidence of Murdaugh stealing from clients that had nothing to do with the killings but biased jurors against him. They also cited the lack of physical evidence, as no DNA or blood was found on Murdaugh or his clothes, even though the killings were at close range with powerful weapons that were never found. Additionally, they said a court clerk assigned to oversee the evidence and the jury during the trial influenced jurors to find Murdaugh guilty, hoping to improve sales of a book she was writing about the case. Prosecutors, however, argued the clerk's comments were fleeting and the evidence against Murdaugh was overwhelming.

  • In June 2021, Murdaugh's wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul, were shot and killed outside their home.
  • In November 2023, Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of his wife and son.
  • On February 11, 2026, Murdaugh's attorneys argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court, asking the justices to overturn his murder convictions.

The players

Alex Murdaugh

A multimillionaire Southern lawyer whose family dominated the legal system in tiny Hampton County, South Carolina. Murdaugh has admitted to being a thief, liar, insurance cheat, drug addict, and bad lawyer, but he continues to deny that he killed his wife and son.

Dick Harpootlian

Murdaugh's lawyer, who argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court that the trial judge's rulings prevented a fair trial for his client.

Creighton Waters

The prosecutor who argued that the evidence against Murdaugh was overwhelming, despite the issues with the court clerk's comments to jurors.

John Kittredge

The chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, who pressed the prosecutor on the impact of the court clerk's misconduct and questioned why prosecutors presented so much financial evidence against Murdaugh.

Alan Wilson

The Republican South Carolina Attorney General and a candidate in the upcoming governor's race, who sat at the prosecution table during the Supreme Court hearing.

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What they’re saying

“If only the people who may be innocent get a fair trial, then our Constitution isn't working.”

— Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh's lawyer

“He said he deserved to go to prison for what he did financially, but he can't accept the fact that he was convicted of murdering his wife and son, for which he constantly proclaimed his innocence.”

— Jim Griffin, Attorney

“It was improper. Perhaps not improper to the point of reversal, but it was improper.”

— John Kittredge, Chief Justice, South Carolina Supreme Court

“You can't understand the boiling point if you don't understand the slow burn that led up to it. The jury could not understand the full weight of the pressure if they didn't understand the entre criminal and financial history.”

— Creighton Waters, Prosecutor

What’s next

The South Carolina Supreme Court will take months to hand down a ruling on whether to overturn Murdaugh's murder convictions. Even if he wins this appeal, Murdaugh still faces a 40-year federal prison sentence for stealing more than $12 million from clients.

The takeaway

The Murdaugh case has captivated the public, with the state Supreme Court's decision potentially having far-reaching impacts beyond the courtroom. The case highlights the complexities of the justice system, the challenges of ensuring a fair trial, and the lasting consequences of financial crimes and allegations of murder.