Becky Hill: South Carolina court clerk resigns amid jury tampering probe in Alex Murdaugh case

MCCORMICK COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA: Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill announced her resignation on Monday, March 25 opting not to seek re-election amid ongoing investigations into allegations of jury tampering in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial.

Hill, under scrutiny from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), emphasized that her decision to step down is unrelated to the accusations levied against her during Murdaugh's trial.

"Another significant impact in our clerk's office was in 2023 when we had to manage one of the biggest trials in South Carolina history. Our small town came together and made everyone proud," Hill said.

"Managing a trial with such importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as to the national and international media interest and public scrutiny, has caused me to reflect upon decisions involving my stay in the office of the clerk of court," reported Fox.

Alex Murdaugh's bid for new trial denied despite allegations of jury tampering

The culmination of these investigations coincided with Murdaugh, who was convicted in 2022 for killing his wife and son on his estate in 2021, return to court in January, where his legal team argued for a new trial based on the alleged jury tampering.

However, Justice Jean Toal ultimately ruled against a retrial, noting that while Hill had displayed "fleeting and foolish comments," the jurors' integrity remained intact during the trial proceedings.

In a statement, Hill's attorney, Justin Bramberg, asserted that her resignation is not a response to ongoing investigations, reaffirming her commitment to transparency throughout the process.

"Let me be extremely clear: Today is not in response whatsoever to anything going on with any investigation or anything of that nature," Bramberg alleged. 

Investigations into Becky Hill's conduct during Alex Murdaugh's trial

SLED initiated two investigations into Hill's conduct during the Murdaugh trial, probing allegations ranging from potential financial gain through her book sales to accusations of jury tampering.

Despite mounting pressure, she affirmed her commitment to face the situation head-on rather than hiding behind legal representatives or digital screens.

Neil Gordon, Hill's co-author, revealed that SLED agents had interviewed him regarding her conduct during the trial on March 22, expressing hope that her resignation would help restore public trust in the office of the clerk of court.

"They expressed a great deal of concern about Becky possibly using her office for personal gain," Gordon stated.

"In their questioning of me, they were honing in on how many different times Becky did book signings, interviews, and speaking engagements during the workday. I sincerely hope her resignation lessens any potential action taken against her, and that it restores public trust in the office of clerk of court."

In response, Hill who served as a court clerk for approximately four years, stated that her choice not to pursue re-election in 2024 would enable her to "focus on being a wife, a mother and a grandmother."

Additionally, she expressed her intention to offer "ample time to other Republican candidates" interested in the position of Colleton County Court Clerk.