Alex Murdaugh clerk Becky Hill charged with multiple felonies in SC

Former Colleton County court clerk, Becky Hill, who presided over the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, has been charged with multiple felonies by South Carolina authorities. The State Ethics Commission had previously accused Hill, 57, of using her official position for financial gain, particularly to promote her book about the Murdaugh case, some of which she admitted to plagiarizing. While the specific charges against Hill have not been disclosed, the Colleton County website indicates that she is also under a “hold for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.”

Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh’s defense attorney, expressed his concerns about Hill’s conduct during and after the trial and emphasized the importance of protecting the integrity of the judicial process. He stressed that every defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial trial, and he looks forward to Alex Murdaugh receiving the fair treatment he deserves.

Hill had previously been accused of misusing federal bonuses, sending herself nearly $10,000 in child support payments, and using federal funds for personal expenses, including gifts for court employees, office supplies, and even dog-related items. In January 2024, South Carolina Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal denied Murdaugh’s request for a new trial based on allegations of jury tampering involving Hill.

Of the 12 jurors who convicted Murdaugh in 2023, 11 stated that Hill did not influence their decisions, while one juror mentioned hearing comments from Hill about Murdaugh’s body language but insisted that it did not affect his verdict. Hill is expected to be indicted for perjury based on her testimony during the February 2024 hearing in front of Justice Toal.

South Carolina attorney Eric Bland, who represented victims of Murdaugh’s financial crimes, believes that Hill’s perjury charge could complicate the situation and increase the likelihood of Murdaugh receiving a new trial. Hill resigned from her position as court clerk in March following the allegations of jury tampering but denied that her departure was related to her conduct during the double murder trial.

During her resignation announcement, Hill mentioned the challenges of managing such an important trial and expressed her desire to focus on being a wife, mother, and grandmother. She also stated that she would not seek re-election in 2024 to allow other Republican candidates to vie for the position of Colleton County court clerk.

Hill’s former attorney, Justin Bamberg, clarified that her resignation was not connected to any ongoing investigations involving the clerk. The developments surrounding Hill’s charges highlight the need to uphold the principles of justice and ensure a fair trial for all individuals involved.