Murdaugh defense claims key investigator lied, seeks dismissal of murder charges
Alex Murdaugh’s lawyers argue that the lead SLED agent gave false testimony to the grand jury and have filed a motion to toss the indictments.
Attorneys for Alex Murdaugh submitted a motion on Aug. 7 contending that the chief SLED agent, David Owen, delivered perjurious testimony and falsified evidence to the Colleton County Grand Jury, constituting prosecutorial misconduct. The filing seeks dismissal of the murder indictments and also asks the court to relocate the trial to Charleston County, arguing that an unbiased jury cannot be found in Colleton due to unprecedented publicity.
Murdaugh, a former prominent Lowcountry lawyer, was convicted in March 2023 of killing his wife and son, but the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned those convictions and ordered a new trial. The defense says further specifics on the alleged fabrication will be provided in a supporting memorandum. The motions are slated for consideration at a pre-trial hearing scheduled for Friday. The case has been further complicated by earlier allegations that court clerk Rebecca Hill made improper comments to jurors during the original trial.
Why it matters
The claim of fabricated evidence could overturn a high-profile murder case and affect public confidence in the state's justice system.
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