Murder In Moselle: Othram, Genetic Genealogy, and the Defense’s New Murdaugh Strategy (7/2/26)

South Carolina prosecutors are pushing back against Alex Murdaugh’s defense team as he prepares for a retrial in the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. The fight centers on a defense request for independent testing of DNA found under Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails, specifically her left fingernail clippings. Murdaugh’s lawyers argue the sample included DNA from an unknown unrelated male and want it sent to Othram, a forensic genetic genealogy lab, at Murdaugh’s expense. Prosecutors counter that SLED already tested the evidence and found only Maggie’s DNA mixed with what they described as a “very partial and incomplete” profile from another contributor, not enough to upload to CODIS. They also argue that trace or touch DNA under fingernails does not automatically mean a struggle took place, because it can be transferred through ordinary contact, objects, or the environment, and they noted Maggie had her nails done the day she was killed.

The state also opposed Murdaugh’s request to use a secure prison laptop to review case materials, arguing he should not be trusted with unsupervised electronic access behind bars. Prosecutors pointed to prior disciplinary issues involving alleged misuse of a prison tablet, unauthorized use of another inmate’s PIN, and a previous contraband issue involving a book allegedly passed to him through defense staff. Judge Debra McCaslin did not immediately rule on the DNA issue and told the defense to clarify whether the remaining sample is viable for further testing. On the laptop issue, she indicated the prison warden would not allow Murdaugh to keep one in his cell because of safety concerns, but suggested his attorneys could bring a laptop to a conference room and review materials with him under supervision. The larger backdrop is that Murdaugh is headed for a retrial after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions in May, finding that former clerk of court Becky Hill’s conduct had tainted the jury.



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source:

Alex Murdaugh DNA testing opposed by prosecutors ahead of retrial | Fox News

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