South Carolina authorities have charged Becky Hill for obstructing justice and misconduct during the Alex Murdaugh murder trial.
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has charged former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill after investigations spanning more than a year related to the high-profile double murder trial of Alex Murdaugh.
SLED said it charged Mary Rebecca ‘Becky’ Hill, 57, with perjury, obstructing justice, and two counts of misconduct in office on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
The charges stem from allegations that Hill engaged in dishonest and illegal conduct while serving in her official capacity as Clerk of Court during the Alex Murdaugh murder trial and subsequent related proceedings.
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Hill, who wrote a book after the trial and later admitted plagiarizing portions of the book and resigned her office, was the central figure in Murdaugh’s failed attempt to get his murder conviction set aside.
Murdaugh’s defense team claimed Hill talked to jurors during the trial in an attempt to influence them toward a guilty verdict. In a hearing in January of 2024, however, former State Chief Justice Jean Toal rejected that argument, saying she didn’t believe Hill’s comments caused jurors to change their vote.
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Warrants released on May 14, 2025 allege that on January 29, 2024 Hill gave false and misleading testimony when Toal asked Hill “Did you allow anyone from the press to view the sealed exhibits?” and Hill responded, “No, ma’am.”
Warrants go on to allege that Hill “prevented, obstructed, impeded, hindered or potentially hindered the administration of justice when she allegedly released or made available “sealed evidence” photos to a third party or parties in violation of South Carolina law on or about February 28th, 2023.
Warrants also allege Hill promoted her book, “Behind Closed Doors,” while using her public office to promote the book “for her own financial gain and in violation of her duties.” SLED cited video evidence, statements and its investigation.
According to warrants, during the period of Sept. 1, 2021 through March 5, 2024, Hill requested and received $9,880.10 in financial bonuses that were paid from Title IV-D Incentive Funds, which were used “for her own financial gain.” On or about March 5, 2024, Hill allegedly received a financial “gift/and or bonus” in the amount of $2,000 paid by a check from the Colleton County Clerk of Court’s Office funds, which she used “for her own financial gain.
RELATED: Clerk over Alex Murdaugh trial spent thousands on bonuses, meals and gifts, ethics complaint says
Hill was arraigned Wednesday In Richland County magistrate court and given a $50,000 personal recognizance bond with a special condition that allows her to travel out of state for work.
The case will be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
