Alex Murdaugh judge chides attorneys on both sides

Judge Debra McCaslin ended Alex Murdaugh's hearing on Oct. 16, 2026, by chiding the sides again, telling them the retrial will take place inside the courtroom, under the rules of evidence, and not elsewhere.

The court addresses misrepresentations regarding the defendant's polygraph, clarifying that Mr. Murdoch failed a test concerning hidden financial assets. The record will now reflect that he was never polygraphed about the murders of Maggie and Paul Murdoch. Counsel is sternly warned that candor with the court is not optional and the case will not be tried in the press.