In the latest development of the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Colleton County Court Clerk Becky Hill has announced her resignation and decision not to seek re-election. Hill’s decision comes amidst ongoing investigations by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) into allegations of jury tampering during the trial.
During a press conference, Hill stated that her decision was not influenced by the allegations made against her and that she wants to focus on being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She also expressed her desire to provide ample time for other Republican candidates interested in the position.
Hill’s attorney, Justin Bramberg, emphasized that her resignation had nothing to do with the ongoing investigations. He clarified that Hill’s decision was not a response to any pending matters and that she was committed to transparency throughout the process.
SLED had previously announced that they were investigating Hill’s conduct during the trial, including allegations that she used her position to benefit financially from sales of her book about the case, which included plagiarized content. Another probe was launched into the jury tampering allegations.
In January, Alex Murdaugh, who had been convicted in 2022 for killing his wife and son, appeared in court for a hearing focused on the jury tampering allegations. Murdaugh’s attorneys argued that these allegations warranted a new murder trial. However, Justice Jean Toal ultimately determined that a new trial was not necessary, after hearing from the jurors who presided over the case.
Despite some fleeting and foolish comments made by Hill, Toal noted that the jurors took their responsibilities seriously and were not influenced by the clerk. Of the 12 jurors who found Murdaugh guilty, 11 stated that Hill did not impact their decisions.
Hill’s co-author, Neil Gordon, revealed that he was interviewed by a SLED agent who expressed concerns about Hill potentially using her office for personal gain. Gordon hopes that Hill’s resignation will help restore public trust in the office of the clerk of court.
As the investigation into the Alex Murdaugh murder trial continues, Hill’s resignation adds another layer of complexity to the case. The focus now shifts to finding a new court clerk for Colleton County and ensuring that justice is served in this high-profile trial. Only time will tell what impact these developments will have on the ongoing legal proceedings.
