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Dateline Roundup: Alex Murdaugh Retrial
At 25:07 · chapter starts 23:25
Andrea Canning brings in Dateline producer Sue Simpson for this week's roundup. The Alex Murdaugh retrial saga is heating up: after five South Carolina Supreme Court judges unanimously overturned his 2023 conviction for murdering wife Maggie and son Paul, the first pre-trial hearing drew a packed courtroom of 200 — international media, local TV, and true crime podcasters alike. New judge Deborah McCaslin, who replaced the retired Judge Clifton Newman, opened by candidly admitting she knew nothing about the first trial. The defense filed motions for a change of venue, civilian clothes for Murdaugh before the jury, and — critically — independent DNA testing of material found under Maggie's fingernails from an unknown, unrelated man. The judge quipped she'd let the defense pay for it themselves. No rulings were made, but a tentative retrial date of April 5, 2027 was placed on the calendar.
The first hearing for Alex Murdaugh's retrial brought a packed courthouse with 200 attendees, international media, and a new judge who openly admitted she knew nothing about the case. Judge Deborah McCaslin asked attorneys not to assume she had any background, setting the stage for a fresh start — with a tentative retrial date of April 5, 2027.
Judge Deborah McCaslin set a tentative retrial date of April 5, 2027 for Alex Murdaugh, whose double murder conviction was unanimously overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Luigi Mangione showed up 30 minutes late after getting stuck in a courthouse elevator, then learned his federal trial was pushed from November 2026 to January 2027. Sources had said plea talks were underway — but they fell apart. A deal could still happen right up to trial.
