Murdaugh lawyers push to send reserve DNA to Othram before SLED retests

Alex Murdaugh’s defense filed a motion asking a judge to hand over untested reserve DNA samples to Othram Inc. before South Carolina Law Enforcement Division conducts further STR analysis.

Murdaugh’s counsel submitted a filing on July 30 seeking court approval to release reserve DNA specimens to Texas-based Othram Inc. before the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) performs any additional short-tandem-repeat (STR) testing. The filing notes that prosecutors have only now revealed that reserve samples from Items 70 and 71 remain unprocessed. Defense lawyers warn that SLED’s proposed STR retests could consume or degrade the DNA required for Othram’s single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) analysis, which needs undepleted material.

They argue no scientific basis exists for repeating STR tests and that doing so would merely reduce the amount of DNA available for independent examination. The memorandum cites a July 7 Webex meeting with prosecutors, SLED scientists, and Othram CEO Dr. David Mittelman. It also references past disputes over forensic handling of blood evidence on Murdaugh’s clothing.

Othram estimates it could complete its analysis within 60 to 90 days, with costs borne by Murdaugh. The request follows recent prosecutorial opposition to Murdaugh’s motions for independent DNA testing and electronic access to case files as he awaits a second murder trial after the state Supreme Court overturned his earlier convictions.