The Supreme Court wiped away Alex Murdaughs double-murder conviction on May 13, ruling unanimously that the trial was irredeemably tainted by the conduct of Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill.
Last week, the South Carolina Supreme Court delivered an account of how Hills conduct during the 2023 double-murder trial crossed ethical and constitutional lines, ultimately unraveling the states conviction of Murdaugh.
“Both the State and Murdaugh’s defense skillfully presented their cases to the jury as the trial court deftly presided over this complicated and high-profile matter,” the court wrote. “However, their efforts were in vain because Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill placed her fingers on the scales of justice, thereby denying Murdaugh his right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.”
The opinion described Hills actions as a “breathtaking and disgraceful effort” to interfere with the jury process, conduct the justices called “unprecedented in South Carolina.”
At the center of the case were repeated allegations that Hill improperly commented on Murdaughs testimony and credibility to jurors during the six-week murder trial.
Jurors testified “fooled” by Murdaughs defense and instructed them to “watch him closely,” “look at his actions,” and “look at his movements” while he testified.
One alternate juror recalled Hill warning jurors: “Theyre going to say things that will try to confuse you. Dont let them confuse you or convince you or throw you off.”
The Supreme Court said the comments went beyond casual conversation between staff and jury members, writing that she “essentially implored the jurors to find him guilty.”
“Hill became a character witness on behalf of the State, encouraging the jurors to question Murdaugh’s credibility” the opinion said.
The opinion also painted a portrait of a public official consumed by the attention surrounding the nationally televised trial.
Hill co-authored a book about the proceedings, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders,” while also granting favors to media members and cultivating celebrity around the case, according to testimony cited by the court.
According to the books synopsis, Hill had known the Murdaugh family for decades and was aware of “the rumors of corruption and crime surrounding the Murdaugh family.”
“These accusations came and went, nothing sticking long enough to bring clarity or a clear conviction. Becky had also known of good deeds done by the Murdaughs,” the synopsis stated. “She was there when Randolph Murdaugh received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest honor bestowed on a civilian by the Governor of South Carolina.”
A fellow court official testified Hill said she hoped the book would earn enough money to buy a lake house and believed a guilty verdict would improve sales.
The justices concluded Hill “was attracted by the siren call of celebrity” and “allowed her desire for the public attention of the moment to overcome her duty to her oath of office.”
Although Hill denied many of the allegations during a 2024 evidentiary hearing, the Supreme Court wrote that “Hills denial of making any inappropriate comments lacked credibility.”
The opinion also referenced Hills later related to her denial that she allowed members of the media to view sealed exhibits.
The unraveling began publicly in October 2023 when Murdaughs attorneys a new trial accusing Hill of jury tampering.
WATCH: Becky Hill walks into Colleton County Courthouse
