Court Clerk in Murdaugh Trial Arrested in Stunning Turn

Rebecca "Becky" Hill once held the spotlight in one of the most closely watched trials in recent American history. As the court official who read the guilty verdict convicting Alex Murdaugh of murdering his wife and son, Hill's role seemed etched into South Carolina's legal legacy. But now, the tables have turned — and she's the one answering to the law.

A Legal U-Turn

On the morning of May 14, 2025, Hill, 57, turned herself in to authorities in Colleton County, South Carolina. She now faces four felony charges — obstruction of justice, two counts of misconduct in office, and one count of perjury, the latter brought in Richland County.

The charges stem from her actions during and after the highly publicized 2023 trial of Alex Murdaugh, a disbarred attorney convicted of killing his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Two of the charges — obstruction and one misconduct count — are directly tied to that case. The other misconduct and perjury charges allege abuse of power and false testimony related to separate proceedings and her tenure as clerk.

Allegations of Misconduct and More

Investigators allege that Hill shared sealed evidence, including photographs from the Murdaugh trial, with outside parties, violating a court order and potentially compromising the fairness of the judicial process.

Another charge alleges that Hill used her position to promote her book, "Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders," while still serving as clerk. Authorities say she shared images from the courtroom and made deals with media producers to boost the book's visibility — all while overseeing critical proceedings that required strict impartiality.

In a separate incident unrelated to the Murdaugh trial, Hill is accused of improperly awarding herself nearly $10,000 in public bonuses and accepting a $2,000 gift drawn from county funds.

The Perjury Problem

Perhaps most serious of all is the perjury charge tied to a January 2024 evidentiary hearing. During testimony, Hill denied allowing press access to sealed exhibits. But investigators now claim she wasn't truthful — and that her denial may have masked deeper breaches in court protocol. At that same hearing, former South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal expressed skepticism, saying Hill appeared to be influenced by the "siren call of celebrity," according to CNN.

Fallout and Reactions

Following intense public scrutiny and a slew of state ethics complaints — including 76 alleged ethics violations — Hill resigned from her position in March 2024. She has denied wrongdoing and claimed the resignation was for personal reasons.

Her co-author, Neil Gordon, described her arrest as sad, saying, "It's a far different expression than the happy-go-lucky grandmother I once knew," according to ABC News 4.

Meanwhile, Murdaugh's attorneys, who have long accused Hill of jury tampering, saw the charges as vindication. "These developments are serious, they are not surprising," the defense team said in a statement to CNN. "We have long raised our concerns about her conduct during and after the trial and this arrest further underscores the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process. Every defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial trial and we look forward to Alex Murdaugh finally getting that fair treatment."

Although Hill's alleged jury influence didn't meet the legal threshold to overturn Murdaugh's conviction last year, her conduct did raise concerns. Justice Toal ruled that Hill made inappropriate comments but deemed them "fleeting and foolish," not substantial enough to impact the verdict, according to CNN.

Still, Murdaugh's legal team has appealed that decision. The South Carolina Supreme Court has granted prosecutors until this summer to respond — and Hill's new legal troubles might become part of that evolving narrative.

What Happens Next?

Hill is scheduled to appear in court in Colleton County on July 18, and again in Richland County on July 25. She was released on personal recognizance bonds totaling $80,000.

Whether these charges lead to convictions remains to be seen. But the Murdaugh saga is far from over — and this time, the drama is unfolding outside the defendant's box.

References: Former county clerk in Murdaugh murder trial charged with obstruction of justice and misconduct | Clerk of Court during Murdaugh trial charged with perjury, obstruction, misconduct | Clerk of court in Alex Murdaugh trial arrested on felony charges, records show