On Wednesday, South Carolina authorities charged Becky Hill, the former Colleton County court clerk who oversaw the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, with multiple felonies. The State Ethics Commission previously accused Hill, 57, of exploiting her official role to benefit financially, particularly by promoting her own book on the Murdaugh case, in which she has admitted to plagiarizing portions. Although specific charges have not been detailed, it has been reported that she is currently under a hold by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Murdaugh’s defense attorney, Dick Harpootlian, stated that these developments, while serious, were not unexpected, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity within the judicial process.
Hill’s alleged misconduct included sending herself nearly $10,000 in federal bonuses through child support payments and using federal funds to acquire gifts and provisions for court employees that included holiday-themed goodies, personal meals, and even pet supplies. This misuse of funds highlights serious ethical violations in her responsibilities as court clerk. In January 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court denied Murdaugh’s request for a new trial based on accusations of jury tampering associated with Hill. Despite these claims, it was reported that the jurors maintained that Hill’s behavior did not affect their decisions during the trial.
Of the twelve jurors who convicted Murdaugh for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, in June 2021, eleven testified that Hill did not influence their verdict. Only one juror mentioned hearing comments from Hill regarding Murdaugh’s body language, asserting that her remarks did not factor into their decision-making process. Reports suggest that Hill may be facing additional charges, including perjury tied to her testimony during the February 2024 hearing presided over by Justice Jean Toal. Attorney Eric Bland, who has represented Murdaugh’s victims, argued that the ongoing legal developments could affect Murdaugh’s chances of securing a new trial.
Bland noted that while he initially believed a reversal of Murdaugh’s conviction would depend on federal proceedings, Hill’s alleged perjury complicates the legal landscape. The key question remains whether the federal jury tampering standard should have been applied by Justice Toal or if her adherence to state standards was appropriate. Hill, who served as court clerk for four years, resigned in March amid allegations of jury tampering, yet she claimed her departure was unrelated to her actions during the trial.
Following her resignation, Hill stated that managing such a significant trial and reflecting on her role within the county had prompted her decision not to seek reelection in 2024. She expressed a desire to focus on her personal life and allow opportunities for other candidates interested in the clerk position. In a public statement, she framed her resignation as a consequence of the intense scrutiny surrounding the trial, rather than as an admission of wrongdoing.
Her former attorney, Justin Bamberg, asserted that Hill’s resignation wasn’t linked to any ongoing investigations, despite the growing public criticism. As the situation develops, her alleged misconduct and that of other parties involved in the Murdaugh case continue to draw significant media attention, raising questions about the integrity of the judicial process and the implications for the trial outcomes.
