Alex Murdaugh’s defense team is seeking fresh DNA testing as he approaches a new double-murder trial. Attorney Donna Rotunno has highlighted recent motions in this case, emphasizing the significance of testing all available DNA evidence, regardless of whom it might implicate. The defense aims to ensure truth and justice by requesting independent DNA analysis from evidence beneath Maggie Murdaugh’s fingernails.
Murdaugh, previously a prominent personal injury lawyer in South Carolina, was convicted in 2023 for the murders of his wife, Maggie, 52, and their younger son, Paul, 22. These tragic events occurred at their hunting estate in June 2021. His convictions were overturned, and a new trial is tentatively set for April 2027.
The defense has pointed out that DNA found beneath Maggie’s fingernails belongs to an unknown male. They seek an independent test by Othram Inc., a Houston-based forensic genetic genealogy company with a history in high-profile cases.
The Role of Othram Inc.
Prosecutors have dismissed the need for additional DNA testing, maintaining that earlier tests by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) showed only a partial and incomplete profile. The unknown DNA did not yield sufficient information for CODIS, the national DNA database.
Othram, located in The Woodlands, Texas, specializes in advanced DNA testing and forensic genetic genealogy. This approach is particularly useful when traditional law enforcement databases fall short. Othram has been involved in several notable cases, including:
- University of Idaho Murders: Othram helped identify Bryan Kohberger as a suspect in the 2022 murders of four students. Kohberger pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life without parole.
- Rachel Morin Murder: In Maryland, Othram assisted in identifying Victor Martinez-Hernandez as the suspect. Martinez-Hernandez was convicted of rape and murder in 2025.
- Carla Walker Cold Case: A case from 1974 in Texas was solved when Othram identified Glen Samuel McCurley as the perpetrator. McCurley later admitted to murder.
- The Lady of the Dunes: Othram helped resolve a long-standing mystery from New England. Ruth Marie Terry was identified using genetic genealogy, revealing her murder by Guy Rockwell Muldavin.
- A Gilgo Beach Victim: Identifying Karen Vergata, known as “Fire Island Jane Doe,” was another success for Othram’s genetic testing.
Implications for Murdaugh’s Retrial
The defense believes Othram’s testing could bolster an alternate-suspect theory, even if it doesn’t significantly alter the trial’s outcome. Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh’s defense attorney, argues that preconceived notions led to Murdaugh’s initial conviction without evidence linking him to the murder scene.
The state, however, views this request as unfounded and more for “public consumption” than as legitimate forensic evidence. At a recent hearing, Judge Debra McCaslin did not rule on the DNA evidence, asking the defense to clarify the sample’s viability.