Murdaugh Lawyers Withdraw Unshackled Court Bid as Prosecutors Fight Special Treatment Claim
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jun 25
Murdaugh Lawyers Withdraw Unshackled Court Bid as Prosecutors Fight Special Treatment Claim
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 25
Summary
Alex Murdaugh’s defense withdrew its request to let him appear unshackled and in civilian clothes at upcoming hearings, saying it would not spend court time on a dispute over “optics.”
Prosecutors had urged the judge to deny the motion, arguing the 27-year state inmate’s notoriety does not justify different treatment and that prison policy requires inmates to remain restrained and in uniform.
The state also cited security and custody concerns, including a contraband incident during the original trial and two August 2023 prison disciplinary actions involving abuse of privileges and another inmate’s PIN.
Defense lawyers called the state’s response “histrionics,” said the murder case remains circumstantial, and argued shackles shown on camera could prejudice future jurors ahead of retrial.
Murdaugh is awaiting new murder proceedings after South Carolina’s Supreme Court reversed his convictions in May over jury-tampering by former clerk Becky Hill; his lawyers say DNA, case-access and venue motions matter more now.