The clerk of court accused of jury tampering in Alex Murdaugh’s murder trial has resigned, she announced Monday, almost two months after a judge ruled the allegations against the Colleton County, South Carolina, official were not enough to grant Murdaugh a new trial.
Rebecca “Becky” Hill’s attorney, Justin Bamberg, stated during a news conference outside the courthouse that her resignation was not related to any ongoing investigations. Hill, who was the subject of two open investigations in January, faced allegations of jury interactions and misuse of her elected position.
The judge presiding over Murdaugh’s trial denied the request for a new trial, citing Hill’s desire to write a book about the case even before the trial began. Despite claims of inappropriate discussions with jurors and pressure to hasten deliberations, the judge found no evidence that Hill's actions influenced the guilty verdict.
The high-profile trial of Alex Murdaugh, convicted for the murders of his wife and son, garnered international attention. Murdaugh, a former attorney from a family with a long history in South Carolina law, became a central figure in books, documentaries, and podcasts. The trial also brought notoriety to the South Carolina Lowcountry and those involved, including Hill, who co-authored a book and appeared in a Netflix docuseries about the case.
In light of the allegations and the judge's ruling, Hill decided to resign from her position as clerk of court. The case highlighted the complexities of high-profile trials and the impact they can have on individuals and communities involved.
