Prosecutors say Alex Murdaugh is ‘not special’ and should be restrained in court.

Prosecutors Challenge Alex Murdaugh’s Court Appearance Requests

Prosecutors took aim at Alex Murdaugh on Thursday, asserting that he “thinks he’s special” and should not be allowed to appear in court wearing plain clothes and without restraints. This comment came as they continue to prepare for a second trial regarding the murders of his wife and son.

Murdaugh, aged 58, is set to be in a Lexington County courtroom on Monday. This follows an earlier conviction in May, which was overturned due to a court clerk’s improper involvement in the case.

In a recent courtroom appearance, Murdaugh seemed visibly unsettled. His legal team has been filing various motions, claiming that requiring him to wear prison attire and shackles might prejudice the jury against him.

However, the prosecution countered this week, insisting in court documents that Murdaugh is still a convict with a record of two financial crime convictions. They argued he shouldn’t expect special treatment, especially considering he’s facing decades behind bars.

S. Clayton Waters, the lead prosecutor, stated that Murdaugh appears to be under the impression he deserves leniency. “This attitude that he is entitled to different treatment reflects a misunderstanding of his reality,” Waters pointed out.

Furthermore, the prosecution emphasized that Murdaugh can’t simply bypass the consequences of his previous actions, as he’s a convicted felon.

Upcoming Trial Details

Murdaugh has already pleaded guilty to multiple financial crimes at both state and federal levels. He is currently serving a sentence of 27 years for one case and 40 years for another.

In a related motion, Murdaugh’s attorneys are requesting to relocate the trial, citing that he wouldn’t receive a fair trial within Colleton County, a community heavily focused on this high-profile case.

Additionally, Murdaugh is pursuing DNA evidence connected to the murder accusations against him.

He was convicted in 2023 of fatally shooting his 22-year-old son, Paul, and 52-year-old wife, Maggie, on June 7, 2021, near a dog kennel on their expansive hunting property. This conviction was overturned due to the former county clerk, Rebecca “Becky” Hill, improperly influencing the jury.