Hello, listeners. Today we are sharing an episode of our new 48-hour series, case-by-case. Each week, the 48-Hours team breaks down the biggest true-crime stories unfolding right now. In this episode, we explore the latest development in the Alec Murdoch case, a story that the 48-Hours team has covered extensively over the years. For more deep dives into cases like these, subscribe to case by case wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm 48 hours correspondent Anne Marie Green, and this is case by case.

There was dramatic news this week about one of the most high-profile

murder cases in years. On Wednesday, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the 2023 convictions

and consecutive life sentences of Alec Murdoch for the murders of his wife Maggie and son Paul in 2021.

Now Murdoch, who had been a prominent and wealthy attorney in the state, will be granted a new

trial after the court found that his original trial was marred by the, quote, improper influence

of Colton County clerk Rebecca Hill.

Hill actually read out the jury's verdict in that original trial. Guilty verdict, signed by the four lady, three, two, 23.

The state Supreme Court's unanimous ruling this week found that Rebecca Hill, known as Becky,

quote, placed her fingers

on the scales of justice by attacking Murdoch's credibility to the jurors. Here's one of those

jurors who was asked about Hill at a 2024 hearing. Was your verdict influenced in any way by the

communications of the clerk of court in this case?

Yes, ma'am.

And how was it influenced?

To me, it felt like she made it seem like he was already guilty.

But another juror told NBC on Wednesday that she never felt Hill was trying to push an agenda

or push her to a certain verdict.

Maggie and Paul Murdoch were shot and killed on the Murdoch family estate.

Murdoch testified in his own defense and has continued to maintain his innocence.

He did plead guilty to financial crimes.

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