Alex Murdaugh’s second murder trial will start next spring, judge rules | CNN

Alex Murdaugh, the disbarred South Carolina attorney accused of killing his wife and son, will face his second murder trial next spring after his previous convictions were overturned on appeal. Murdaugh, 58, appeared in court Monday, shackled in an orange jumpsuit, for his first court appearance since his murder convictions were overturned. Circuit Court Judge Debra McCaslin ruled the new trial will begin April 5, 2027. Murdaugh’s attorneys filed several pretrial motions last week, including requests for a change of venue, for further independent testing of DNA evidence and for Murdaugh to get access to a computer in prison. Though McCaslin did not rule on the motions Monday, the judge made clear she intends the trial to move forward without delay. “When I say April 5th, we’re picking a jury and going forward,” she said. “All those issues should be decided by then.” Separate from the murder case, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to dozens of financial crimes and remains behind bars on concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years. Dozens of members of the public showed up early to court hoping to snag a seat within view of the man whose sprawling saga has already had