Alex Murdaugh’s defence team has asked that newly disclosed reserve DNA samples be sent to private laboratory Othram for testing before the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division carries out its own analysis. The request is part of Murdaugh’s effort to challenge his convictions for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, arguing that newer forensic methods might identify evidence unavailable at trial.

The defence is particularly seeking further examination of DNA recovered from beneath Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails. Prosecutors and state investigators have not yet carried out the proposed retesting, while Murdaugh remains imprisoned for financial crimes as he pursues post-conviction challenges to his murder case.