South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Friday that prosecutors may pursue the death penalty when retrying Alex Murdaugh for the 2021 murders of his wife and son, following the state Supreme Court's decision to overturn his convictions.

"In light of the Supreme Court's decision, we're back to square one on this case, and that means all our legal options are on the table, including the death penalty," Wilson said in a statement.

The announcement marks a significant escalation in the high-profile case involving the disgraced former attorney from a prominent South Carolina legal family. Murdaugh was previously convicted of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul at the family's hunting lodge in June 2021.

The state Supreme Court's ruling effectively nullifies the previous conviction and requires prosecutors to restart the case. Wilson's office had not initially sought the death penalty in the original prosecution.

Murdaugh, who was also convicted on financial fraud charges in separate proceedings, has maintained his innocence in the murder case. The retrial will require prosecutors to present their evidence again before a new jury.

No timeline has been announced for when the retrial proceedings will begin. The case drew national attention due to the Murdaugh family's century-long influence in South Carolina's legal and political circles.