For three years, the Alex Murdaugh double-murder trial seemed like an open-and-shut case. But just two weeks ago, the door was kicked open again.
The former Islandton, South Carolina lawyer made headlines in 2023 after he was found guilty of murdering his wife and son. However, on May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the double murder conviction, citing a county clerk’s “jury interference,” and granting Murdaugh a new trial that could take place in the coming year.
As the news dominated headlines, questions continued to mount: Who is Becky Hill, the county clerk of court? What was her relationship to the case? How did she influence the jury? Despite the fact that Murdaugh is still serving time for his financial crimes, does this mean he could someday walk free?
The answer to these burning questions can be found in the debut installment of the new, quick-turnaround documentary series Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted. From executive producers Josh Tyrangiel (Vice News Tonight, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic), Connor Schell (30 for 30, The Last Dance, O.J.: Made in America), and showrunner Steve Yaccino (Giuliani: What Happened to America’s Mayor?, Killer Lies: Chasing a True Crime Con Man), Instadocs will tackle not only gripping cases like Murdaugh’s, but a vast array of current events, crises, and cultural moments. Learn more about Instadocs here.
But first, here’s everything to know about Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted.
What did Alex Murdaugh do?
Alex Murdaugh was a prominent fourth-generation South Carolina lawyer whose family had become embroiled in a series of crises, including a boat crash involving his younger son Paul, and allegations of financial fraud from former clients and his own family’s law firm. On June 7, 2021, Murdaugh called 911, reporting that his wife Maggie and son Paul had been shot. As police investigated, he quickly became the primary suspect. He was charged and went to trial for their murders in 2023, and was convicted by a jury on two counts of murder and two counts of using a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Separately, Murdaugh also pleaded guilty to nearly two financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and money laundering.
The double murder charge was later overturned, and the judge granted Murdaugh a new trial that could take place within a year.
For more information about the case, you can watch Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Season 1 now.
Who is Becky Hill?
Rebecca “Becky” Hill was the Colleton County Clerk of Court who served during Murdaugh’s trial. She was the elected official responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the courthouse, including swearing Murdaugh in for his testimony and reading the verdict once it was decided by the jury. After Murdaugh was convicted, and while he was serving his two consecutive life sentences in prison, his lawyers appealed the verdict, claiming that Hill had interfered with the jury. Hill resigned from her position on March 25, 2024, saying she desired more time to spend with her family. On May 13, 2026, the South Carolina Supreme Court overturned the double murder verdict, citing Hill’s jury interference. She denies any jury interference. You can hear more from Becky Hill and other courtroom insiders in Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal Season 2.
Who’s interviewed in Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted?
The documentary features interviews with:
- Alan Wilson, South Carolina attorney general, whose office led the prosecution in the Murdaugh trial in 2023, and will also lead the charge in the retrial.
- Bill Young, former mayor of Walterboro, the town in which the trial took place.
- Joe McCulloch, lawyer and former colleague of Murdaugh’s grandfather Randolph “Buster” Murdaugh Jr., who represented juror Myra Crosby in the appeal.
- Melissa and Neil Gordon, co-creators of Trial Watchers, who worked with Hill on a documentary and a book, publication of which has been halted.
- Craig Moyer, juror on the Murdaugh trial.
- Myra Crosby, juror, whose shocking dismissal from the trial jury just moments before deliberations began was cited by Murdaugh’s lawyers as evidence of jury interference.
When is the documentary series release date?
Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted was released May 30 and is available to stream now. Other installments in the Instadocs series will follow.
Watch Instadocs: Alex Murdaugh, Unconvicted, now streaming.
