# Judge moves Alex Murdaugh murder retrial out of Colleton County 2026-08-15T00:03:57+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A South Carolina judge on Friday ordered Alex Murdaugh's murder retrial moved out of Colleton County, citing intense publicity and the taint of the first jury by a court clerk. The new venue has not yet been decided. Judge Debra McCaslin ruled Murdaugh need not wear a prison jumpsuit at trial, noting he was not a security risk despite serving a 40-year federal sentence for stealing $12 million from clients and his law firm. The judge deferred a defence motion to dismiss the case. Murdaugh's lawyers argue state investigator David Owen falsely told the 2023 grand jury that blood was found on Murdaugh's shirt, and that another officer, Ryan Kelly, who was later fired for misconduct, gave key testimony. The retrial is set for April 5. Murdaugh's 2023 conviction for killing his wife Maggie and son Paul was overturned by the state Supreme Court in May. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: Alex Murdaugh, Colleton County Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/judge-moves-alex-murdaugh-murder-retrial-out-of-colleton-county/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/judge-moves-alex-murdaugh-murder-retrial-out-of-colleton-county/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.