Alex Murdaugh, who was serving two consecutive life sentences in South Carolina for shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son, Paul, in June 2021, will get a new trial for the murder charges. The South Carolina Supreme Court made the announcement Wednesday.“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” the justices wrote in a 5-0 vote.Murdaugh’s attorney requested the new trial in February. They argued Murdaugh deserves a new trial based on alleged jury tampering, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial and during the investigation.Murdaugh’s defense team released the following statement following the Wednesday announcement. “The Supreme Court’s decision today affirms that the rule of law remains strong in South Carolina. The Court found that Becky Hill’s conduct during the trial attacked Alex Murdaugh’s credibility and his defense. The Court rightly described her conduct as ‘breathtaking,’ ‘disgraceful,’ and ‘unprecedented in South Carolina.’ “We respect the decision that made clear that the retrial must look very different from the first. The initial jury heard more than twelve hours of testimony about Alex’s financial crimes. The Court held that this evidence went far beyond what was necessary and gave rise to unfair prejudice. On retrial, that will not be permitted. Alex has said from day one that he did not kill his wife and son. We look forward to a new trial conducted consistent with the Constitution and the guidance this Court has provided.”South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement following the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision:“While we respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision, my Office will aggressively seek to retry Alex Murdaugh for the murders of Maggie and Paul as soon as possible. Let me be clear—this decision does not mean Murdaugh will be released. He will remain in prison for his financial crimes. No one is above the law and, as always, we will continue to fight for justice.” Murdaugh will remain in prison because he still has decades left on his sentences for the financial crimes.Video below: The guilty verdict is read at Murdaugh’s first trial: Who is Alex Murdaugh?Murdaugh, a once prominent heir to a Lowcountry legal dynasty, is now a disbarred attorney serving two consecutive life sentences for shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son, Paul, at the family’s hunting property in June 2021.A Colleton County, South Carolina, jury found him guilty of their murders in March 2023 after a highly publicized six-week trial, which also featured extensive testimony about Murdaugh stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable clients and his own law firm.Murdaugh later pleaded guilty to dozens of federal and state charges for financial crimes related to a yearslong, wide-ranging scheme to bilk his law firm, clients and the government out of about $9 million. He is serving concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years, respectively, for those financial crimes in addition to his life sentences.CNN contributed to this report.

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —

Alex Murdaugh, who was serving two consecutive life sentences in South Carolina for shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son, Paul, in June 2021, will get a new trial for the murder charges.

The South Carolina Supreme Court made the announcement Wednesday.

“Although we are aware of the time, money, and effort expended for this lengthy trial, we have no choice but to reverse the denial of Murdaugh’s motion for a new trial due to Hill’s improper external influences on the jury and remand for a new trial,” the justices wrote in a 5-0 vote.

Murdaugh’s attorney requested the new trial in February.

They argued Murdaugh deserves a new trial based on alleged jury tampering, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial and during the investigation.

Murdaugh’s defense team released the following statement following the Wednesday announcement.

“The Supreme Court’s decision today affirms that the rule of law remains strong in South Carolina. The Court found that Becky Hill’s conduct during the trial attacked Alex Murdaugh’s credibility and his defense. The Court rightly described her conduct as ‘breathtaking,’ ‘disgraceful,’ and ‘unprecedented in South Carolina.’

“We respect the decision that made clear that the retrial must look very different from the first. The initial jury heard more than twelve hours of testimony about Alex’s financial crimes. The Court held that this evidence went far beyond what was necessary and gave rise to unfair prejudice. On retrial, that will not be permitted. Alex has said from day one that he did not kill his wife and son. We look forward to a new trial conducted consistent with the Constitution and the guidance this Court has provided.”

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released the following statement following the South Carolina Supreme Court’s decision:

“While we respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision, my Office will aggressively seek to retry Alex Murdaugh for the murders of Maggie and Paul as soon as possible. Let me be clear—this decision does not mean Murdaugh will be released. He will remain in prison for his financial crimes. No one is above the law and, as always, we will continue to fight for justice.”

Murdaugh will remain in prison because he still has decades left on his sentences for the financial crimes.

Video below: The guilty verdict is read at Murdaugh’s first trial:

Who is Alex Murdaugh?

Murdaugh, a once prominent heir to a Lowcountry legal dynasty, is now a disbarred attorney serving two consecutive life sentences for shooting and killing his wife, Maggie, and 22-year-old son, Paul, at the family’s hunting property in June 2021.

A Colleton County, South Carolina, jury found him guilty of their murders in March 2023 after a highly publicized six-week trial, which also featured extensive testimony about Murdaugh stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable clients and his own law firm.

Murdaugh later pleaded guilty to dozens of federal and state charges for financial crimes related to a yearslong, wide-ranging scheme to bilk his law firm, clients and the government out of about $9 million. He is serving concurrent state and federal sentences of 27 and 40 years, respectively, for those financial crimes in addition to his life sentences.

CNN contributed to this report.