Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh have filed a motion requesting a judge to compel South Carolina prosecutors to provide crucial forensic evidence. This includes unidentified male DNA found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails, which the defense claims the state crime lab did not fully test.
The 93-page filing demands additional DNA and ballistics data, along with raw information from a laser scan of the crime scene in Colleton County. The defense accuses the state of delaying tactics that could hinder their trial preparation.
“Every week the State withholds this material is a week taken from the preparation of the defense,” the motion states.
Alex Murdaugh’s legal team previously requested the DNA evidence be analyzed by Othram, Inc. After testing, they argued for further analysis to identify a male DNA profile, which they believe remains unexplored by the state crime lab. They also want further testing of the partial DNA profile from Maggie Murdaugh’s phone.
The defense seeks additional details on shootings in nearby counties involving .300 Blackout cases or projectiles. They demand raw data from a 3D laser scan of the crime scene, as opposed to the read-only viewer file they received in 2022.
The defense accuses prosecutors of changing their stance on the murder weapon. While previously claiming the .300 Blackout rifle was uncommon and linked to the family’s firearms, they now label it a common AR cartridge nationwide.
“The State has had continuous and exclusive custody of every item of physical evidence in this case for more than five years,” defense attorneys argued.
Former prosecutor Joshua Ritter suggests that Murdaugh’s pursuit of more DNA testing is risky. He believes the defense might have been better off raising questions about the unexplored male DNA profile instead of seeking additional tests.
Alex Murdaugh was initially convicted in 2023 for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. This occurred at their Moselle property in Colleton County. The South Carolina Supreme Court later overturned these convictions due to alleged jury tampering by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill. His retrial is set for April 5, 2027.
Fox News reached out to the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and Attorney General Alan Wilson for comments.