What is already being billed as South Carolina's re-trial of the century" will take place well beyond the borders of its original judicial district, and ninety miles from the scene of the crime. A Circuit Court Judge has selected Sumter County for the April 2027 retrial of Alex Murdaugh,
He was previously convicted of murdering his wife and son five years ago. The judge had ruled during last month's pretrial hearing that the retrial would be held outside of the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, and nowhere near Colleton County. Murdaugh's legal team led by former State Senator Dick Harpootlian had suggested Charleston County,.
Prosecutors cited issues of security, transportation, parking, plus availability and affordability of lodging at the height of the Spring tourist season .
Judge McCaslin says her research indicates Sumter County can handle all of those considerations and has a large courthouse. Harpootlian says it would hard to find any neutral venue for the re-trial.
