Judge Debra R. McCaslin Appointed to Preside Over Alex Murdaugh Double Murder Case Retrial
The South Carolina Supreme Court has designated Circuit Judge Debra R. McCaslin to preside over any future retrial and related proceedings in the Alex Murdaugh double murder case. Chief Justice John W. Kittredge issued an order on June 8 granting McCaslin exclusive jurisdiction over the case, giving her the authority to handle all matters tied to the case, including any new trial on the murder charges and related motions. This decision comes after Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of two counts of murder and weapons charges in connection with the 2021 killings of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Following the conviction, his defense team alleged jury tampering and sought a new trial, which was granted by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May 2026. The appointment of Judge McCaslin ensures that there is a judge in place to oversee the next steps in the case, including any hearings and a potential retrial. As of now, no timeline has been announced for these proceedings.