Alex Murdaugh's 'Charleston or bust' prayer shot down by prosecutors in fight over 'Holy City' retrial

South Carolina prosecutors are powerfully opposing Alex Murdaugh’s request to determination his proceedings to Charleston, calling the defense's "Charleston oregon bust" presumption logistically challenging and unreasonably expensive.

In a tribunal effect filed Wednesday, the authorities urged the tribunal to cull Murdaugh's effort to mandate the historical "Holy City" arsenic the lone viable alternate venue.

State officials argued that portion Charleston is renowned for its industry, arts and tourism, it represents the astir hard region successful South Carolina to grip a proceedings of this magnitude.

Murdaugh's proceedings is tentatively acceptable to statesman successful April 2027.

ALEX MURDAUGH MURDER SAGA LANDS RIGHT BACK WHERE IT STARTED BEFORE NEXT LOWCOUNTRY COURTROOM BATTLE

Alex Murdaugh wants his retrial moved to Charleston, S.C. (iStock; Pool)

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Prosecutors filed a laundry database of logistical hurdles, pointing retired that downtown postulation and parking are already hard connected a modular concern time without an influx of jurors, witnesses, media and onlookers.

The filing besides noted that outpouring tourer season, coupled with Masters week traffic, would thrust section edifice costs to much than treble oregon triple those of comparable areas. Additionally, prosecutors warned that dense outpouring storms and king tides regularly paralyze the downtown country with flooding.

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Prosecuting lawyer Creighton Waters participates successful a judicial proceeding June 29, 2026, astatine the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center successful Lexington, S.C. (Tracy Glantz/The State via Pool)

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The defence primitively sought a venue change, citing the wide attraction surrounding the archetypal trial, but prosecutors contend that the region instantly bordering Colleton County undermines the precise rationale down the request.

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While the authorities remains unfastened to tenable alternatives similar Spartanburg, York oregon Florence, it said Murdaugh is not entitled to a alteration of venue simply owed to the dense quality coverage.

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The state’s effect came aft Murdaugh’s defence squad filed its bid to determination the proceedings to Charleston County, citing extended section publicity, deep-seated section household ties and tainted courthouse integrity regarding the Colleton County Clerk of Court misconduct.

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State Judge Debra McCaslin oversees a judicial proceeding June 29, 2026, astatine the Marc H. Westbrook Judicial Center successful Lexington, S.C. (Tracy Glantz/The State via Pool)

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Murdaugh is expected to look for a pretrial proceeding Friday astatine 10 a.m. successful the Lexington County Courthouse.

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