Murdaugh Seeks Othram DNA Testing on 2 Reserve Samples Before SLED Retests
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 31
Murdaugh Seeks Othram DNA Testing on 2 Reserve Samples Before SLED Retests
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 31
Summary
A July 30 defense filing asked a South Carolina judge to send two unprocessed reserve DNA samples from under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails to Othram for independent testing before SLED conducts more analysis.
Defense lawyers said prosecutors disclosed for the first time that reserve material from Items 70 and 71 still exists, and argued SLED's proposed STR retesting could consume or degrade DNA needed for Othram's SNP analysis.
Othram's review would take 60 to 90 days at Murdaugh's expense, while the defense said SLED has offered no scientific basis for repeating earlier STR testing and renewed criticism of the agency's evidence handling.
Prosecutors last month urged the court to reject Murdaugh's requests for independent DNA testing and broader electronic access to case files as he awaits a retrial.
The fight comes after the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Murdaugh's 2023 murder convictions in May, ruling jury tampering by former clerk Becky Hill denied him a fair trial.