South Carolina Court Official Resigns Amid Investigations of Jury Tampering in Murdaugh Trial
Walterboro, South Carolina – In a significant development in the ongoing investigations connected to the notorious Murdaugh trial, Colleton County’s Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, announced her resignation on Monday. Ms. Hill’s announcement comes at a time when she is under state investigation for allegations of tampering with the jury in the trial of Alex Murdaugh, a high-profile attorney who was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole for the murder of his wife and son.
A Sudden Announcement Signals an End
During an impromptu press conference in front of the courthouse, Ms. Hill, who has been serving as the clerk since 2020, confirmed that the resignation would be effective immediately. Claiming that the tenure had been an honor for her, she reflected upon her office’s role in the high-profile Murdaugh trial that garnered extensive national and international media attention last year.
“Managing a trial with such importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as of the national and international media interest and public scrutiny, it has caused me to reflect upon decisions involving my stay in the office of the clerk of court,” Ms. Hill was quoted as saying. She further stated that she wanted to leave time for potential Republican candidates to act, in case they were interested in running for the position.
Controversy Enshrouds the Resignation
The attorney for Ms. Hill, Justin Bamberg, mentioned at the news conference that her decision was about serving the people of the county, rather than about the ongoing investigation. No new developments in the investigation had influenced her decision, he specified. Although no charges have yet been filed against Ms. Hill, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, through spokesperson Renée Wunderlich, confirmed that the investigations into the allegations of jury tampering and possible misuse of office were active and ongoing.
The Governor Moves Swiftly
Accepting her resignation later on Monday, Governor Henry McMaster notified the county probate judge to take charge of the office until the vacancy could be filled. His office confirmed that an appointment to fill the vacant position would be forthcoming in the next few days.
A High-Profile Trial Sends Shockwaves
The sudden resignation comes on the heels of the Murdaugh trial, a story that has been dramatically played out on an array of true crime shows, podcasts, and blogs worldwide. Alex Murdaugh’s fall from his position as a respected attorney in his small county to a life-term convict for the murder of his family on their lavish estate has sparked extensive debates and controversies across the nation. Allegations that the court clerk improperly influenced the jury in the trial added more fuel to the already heated discussions.
