ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. (AP) — Mary Rebecca “Becky” Hill, the former Colleton County Clerk of Court in South Carolina, has admitted to unlawful conduct related to the high-profile murder trial of attorney Alex Murdaugh. Hill pleaded guilty to several charges on Monday, including showing sealed court exhibits to a photographer and subsequently providing false testimony in court.
Hill faced the Colleton County Circuit Court where she pleaded guilty to four accusations: obstruction of justice and perjury for sharing confidential photographs with the media and lying about it, as well as two misconduct charges related to financial improprieties and promoting a book she authored on the trial through her official position.
The court, presided over by Judge Heath Taylor, sentenced the 58-year-old Hill to three years of probation, noting that her penalty could have been more severe if evidence of jury tampering had been uncovered.
Hill Apologizes for Her Actions
In a brief statement, Hill expressed regret for her actions, asking the judge for leniency. “There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life,” she said.
In her former capacity, Hill was responsible for managing the jury, handling exhibits, and assisting the judge during the six-week trial of Murdaugh, which captured attention due to its elements of power, danger, wealth, and privilege. The trial concluded with Murdaugh being convicted for the murders of his wife and son.
While Hill plays a role in Murdaugh’s appeal, his attorneys claim that she attempted to sway jurors towards a guilty verdict due to her personal bias, influenced by her interest in her book’s success.
Investigation Into Jury Tampering Claims
Prosecutors examined allegations of jury tampering, with three jurors or alternates suggesting Hill might have tried to influence them. However, eleven other jurors interviewed by state agents reported no wrongdoing on her part, leading Solicitor Rick Hubbard to conclude that proving tampering would be infeasible.
Hubbard also revealed that a journalist had informed investigators that Hill displayed graphic crime scene images to members of the media, with metadata linking the images to a time when Hill accessed the secure room containing the photos using her courthouse key card.
In addition to the murder conviction, Murdaugh is serving a separate sentence for embezzling millions from clients and his family’s law firm. His initial appeal was denied, although questions remain about Hill’s integrity during the trial.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct
One of the misconduct charges against Hill involved financial misconduct, with investigators stating she misappropriated nearly $12,000, including bonuses from federal funds intended for child support enhancements and funds from her office. Hill presented a check in court to repay these amounts.
Hill also faced accusations of using her official position to promote her book about the Murdaugh trial, leading to additional charges. During the hearing, Judge Taylor remarked on the extensive public attention the case attracted, which contributed to Hill’s public humiliation.
Further accusations against Hill include ethics violations for allowing a promotional photo of Murdaugh in a holding cell and improperly using county resources. Additionally, Hill allegedly struck a deal with a documentary filmmaker to feature the county courtroom in exchange for promoting her book, which was later found to include plagiarized content.
Hill resigned from her position in March 2024, partway through her term, citing intense scrutiny from the Murdaugh trial and her desire to focus on family matters.
