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8:47 AM PT -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson released a statement Wednesday, saying ... "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."

Alex Murdaugh just caught a massive break behind bars ... with South Carolina's high court tossing out his murder convictions, and ordering a new trial.

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Murdaugh’s 2023 convictions for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, can’t stand because the jury process was compromised.

At the center of the decision is former court clerk Becky Hill ... who was accused of making anti-Murdaugh comments to jurors and influencing deliberations during the nationally televised trial. The court said the misconduct was serious enough to blow up the verdict entirely.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is devastated by the death of his close friend, Brandon Clarke ... releasing a heartbreaking statement on the tragedy on Wednesday -- admitting he can't wrap his head around his "twin" being gone.

JJJ and Clarke were inseparable -- even after the 26-year-old was traded to the Utah Jazz this season, they continued to maintain a solid brotherhood.

Jackson Jr. went to social media to pour his heart out over the loss ... saying, "i couldn’t imagine a world where this was even a possibility. i love you forever brother, this is absolutely devastating. i just wish i could talk to you."

Samuel Monroe Jr. showed a glimmer of hope amid his serious health battle ... but TMZ has learned the actor has experienced a severe downturn, as his condition continues to decline.

Samuel's wife Shawna Stewart tells TMZ ... the "Menace II Society" actor is back on life support, in a medically induced coma ... and has required three blood transfusions in a matter of days, as his body is decimated by MRSA pneumonia and meningitis. He's been placed back on dialysis.

The update is a devastating one for his family and friends ... since just a few days ago, Sam seemed to be on the mend ... taken off the ventilator and conscious as his blood pressure stabilized. But the hopeful moment did not last long.

Billionaire businessman Stephen Cloobeck has been arrested on a felony charge of attempting to prevent or dissuade a victim or witness from testifying ... TMZ has learned.

Cloobeck was handcuffed and taken into custody by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies in West Hollywood Tuesday morning ... though he was released a few hours later after posting a $300,000 bond. It's unclear what case Cloobeck's arrest relates to.

Cloobeck is the former CEO of Diamond Resorts International and a prominent Democratic donor who pulled his support for disgraced and now-resigned Congressman Eric Swalwell's suspended campaign for California Governor. The pair are -- or at least, were -- longtime friends ... until Swalwell was accused of sexual assault by several women earlier this year.

Ray J ain't happy N3on is allegedly buddy-buddy with the Kardashians ... after he says the streamer ghosted him for months.

The rapper and content creator appeared on a stream together Tuesday, and you can see Ray J didn't hold nothin' back when blasting N3on for allegedly going silent on him while choosing to befriend the Kardashians.

Check out the video ... N3on seems confused ... agreeing he hasn't spoken to Ray for months, but denying he's pals with Kim Kardashian -- Ray J's ex -- and her family. Ray J points out N3on's close with Alabama Barker ... which makes him friends with the famous family.

Working with your ex would feel like a real-life "American Horror Story" to most people ... but Emma Roberts and Evan Peters seem to be handling it just fine.

The exes made a rare appearance together onstage at the Disney Upfront event in New York City on Tuesday to promote the new season of Ryan Murphy's flagship show.

They stood side-by-side along with more of the star-studded cast as they graced the stage to announce Paul Anthony Kelly would be joining the ensemble.

Sydney Sweeney is continuing to showcase her romance with Scooter Braun ... this time, sharing a romantic video collage showing them cuddling up and kissing.

Check it out -- the "Euphoria" star posted a PDA-filled compilation on her IG story Tuesday ... and it's full of clips of Scooter wrapping his arms around her and snuggling up to her. The videos appear to be taken during a picturesque beach vacation that took them swimming, dancing, boating, and on romantic walks along the shore.

The video ends with the music exec dipping his much younger girlfriend and going in for a smooch on the lips.

President Donald Trump has officially landed in China ... and his welcome looked like a celebration for the opening of the Olympics.

Check out the video -- Trump and his entourage got the literal red carpet treatment ... there was a gaggle of military officers present as a brass band played, and a gigantic crowd of kids waved Chinese and American flags in unison. Trump was gifted a bouquet of flowers as he descended the Air Force One stairs.

Among those traveling with DT is Eric Trump and Lara Trump ... and Elon Musk is seen lurking behind them all as they disembarked the presidential plane.

The NBA acknowledged the two tragic losses in the family ahead of Tuesday's playoff game ... with the San Antonio Spurs honoring both Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins prior to tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The fans at Frost Bank Center took part in a moment of silence for both players ... with P.A. announcer Roland Ruiz addressing the news with heartfelt words about both pros.

"The NBA family mourns the passing of two if its own -- Brandon Clarke, a beloved member of the Memphis Grizzlies since 2019, whose leadership and passion earned him respect throughout the Memphis community and around the league, passed away at the age of 29, and 13-year NBA player and NBA Cares ambassador Jason Collins died after a long battle with brain cancer," the Ruiz announced.

The dreaded hantavirus has nearly claimed another life ... as a French woman is struggling, breathing through an artificial lung amid the MV Hondius cruise outbreak.

According to her doctor, the unidentified woman is currently in critical condition in a Paris hospital after contracting the disease aboard the cruise ship during a 34-day expedition through the Atlantic, with several stops along the way.  

Authorities said three people have died, with eight other reported cases as a result of the outbreak on the ship, which launched April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina. So far, authorities have confirmed nine of the hantavirus cases.

Chris Brown had some ... choice words for haters after Pitchfork gave his new album an awful review -- and even shaded Zara Larsson in the process.

Check out his heated Insta Story from Tuesday -- he tells fans he knows they want him to say something about the criticism ... but instead, he says "We kickin' they ass!" He takes his passionate clapback to the next level, adding ... "I'ma keep my foot on they neck and we ain't stopping."

He says he's all about his fans and getting on his upcoming "The R&B Tour" with Usher, which is set to kick off in June. And, he encourages the haters to go listen to Swedish pop star Zara, who recently said she has Chris' music -- along with other abusers -- blocked on Spotify.

Taylor Swift was giving off major bridal era vibes in NYC on Tuesday as her wedding to Travis Kelce grows closer and closer.

The pop superstar was decked out in a form-fitting white mini dress as she and her friends, including BFF Ashley Avignone, went for dinner at Manhattan's Via Carota restaurant.

Check out the photos ... Taylor looks like she's ready to walk down the aisle in her $398 Retrofête dress as she makes her way inside the West Village eatery with Ashley just steps behind. Taylor also sported black Gucci high heels with a Dior bag slung over her shoulder.

Ariana Madix is all for the comparisons between her and Ciara Miller after the "Summer House" star was publicly betrayed by West Wilson and Amanda Batula this year.

The "Vanderpump Rules" alum addressed the comparisons on her Tuesday night "Watch What Happens Live" appearance and confirmed to host Andy Cohen that there are 100% similarities between Scandoval and West and Amanda's situation. She's not saying they're the exact same ... but they're similar enough to warrant the comparison.

Remember -- Ariana was heartbroken publicly when she discovered her longtime beau Tom Sandoval was secretly hooking up with their "Vanderpump Rules" costar Raquel Leviss ... a major situation labeled as "Scandoval."

Hayden Panettiere's ex Brian Hickerson says he still dreams about a future with the actress ... admitting he would even marry her, despite their rocky past.

Hickerson sat down with TMZ's Charlie Neff ahead of Hayden's upcoming memoir, "This Is Me: A Reckoning" ... and got surprisingly emotional when the conversation turned to the former couple's relationship.

When Charlie asked if he ever thinks about marrying the former "Nashville" actress one day, Brian didn’t hold back ... "Yeah, of course."

Donald Gibb -- best known for playing the lovable brute "Ogre" in the "Revenge of the Nerds" franchise -- has died ... TMZ has learned.

Gibbs' son, Travis, tells TMZ ... Donald passed Tuesday evening due to health complications. He says he died at his home in Texas, where he was surrounded by family, including his kids, who loved him deeply.

We're told his death was not sudden, as Donald had been battling ongoing health issues.

Travis and his family tells us ... Donald loved the Lord and his family, friends and fans with all his heart, and they ask for prayers and privacy during this difficult time. They add that their father will be deeply missed and forever remembered.