Murdaugh sues former clerk after conviction overturned for jury tampering
Disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former South Carolina court clerk Becky Hill, seeking six hundred thousand dollars in damages plus attorney's fees. This comes four days after South Carolina's Supreme Court unanimously overturned his double murder convictions in the 2021 deaths of his wife Maggie and son Paul. The court found that Hill, who was Colleton County Clerk of Court, improperly influenced jurors during trial by telling them to watch Murdaugh closely and not be fooled by the defense's evidence. Hill allegedly made these comments to boost sales of a book she was writing about the case. Hill previously pleaded guilty in December 2025 to perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct in office for showing sealed exhibits to a photographer and lying about it. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who prosecuted the case, says his office was unaware of Hill's conduct and disputes the Supreme Court's decision, vowing to retry the case by year's end.
Key facts
- Alex Murdaugh filed civil rights lawsuit against Becky Hill on May 18, 2026, four days after South Carolina Supreme Court overturned his murder convictions
- Murdaugh seeks $600,000 in compensatory damages plus punitive damages and attorney's fees
- Hill pleaded guilty in December 2025 to perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct in office
- South Carolina Supreme Court found Hill engaged in shocking jury interference by telling jurors to watch Murdaugh closely and not be fooled by defense evidence
- Hill co-authored book 'Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders' which earned roughly $100,000 before being withdrawn due to plagiarism allegations
- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson plans to retry the case by end of 2026, potentially seeking death penalty
How different outlets framed it
Right-leaning coverage: Fox News and conservative outlets emphasize the seriousness of Hill's misconduct, highlighting specific examples of her jury interference such as telling jurors Hill's exact words and her motivation to boost book sales. They focus on accountability for the clerk's abuse of her position and present the lawsuit as appropriate remedy for constitutional violations.
Limits of this briefing
Most coverage comes from major centrist and right-leaning outlets. Limited perspective from Hill's defense or those questioning the Supreme Court's reversal. The lawsuit outcome remains uncertain and hinges on whether civil rights statute applies to state court clerk conduct.
Sources
- NBC News: Alex Murdaugh files civil rights suit against ex-court clerk over alleged jury tampering Centre
- CNN: Murdaugh sues court clerk who interfered with jury at his trial Centre
- Fox News: Alex Murdaugh sues court clerk after murder conviction overturned over jury tampering accusations Right
- Just The News: Murdaugh sues ex-court clerk whose alleged jury tampering led to murder conviction being overturned Right
- WLTX (South Carolina Local News): Alex Murdaugh sues ex-court clerk Becky Hill for alleged jury tampering in overturned murder case Centre