COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WTOC) – UPDATE: Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill – who Alex Murdaugh’s defense team accused of jury tampering in the double murder trial – resigned today effective immediately.
Hill is specifically saying it’s not because of the active investigation into whether or not she tampered with the jury in the Murdaugh double murder trial, instead, Monday, when asked the primary reason for stepping down, she responded, her grandchildren.
“My resignation as Clerk of Court will be effective immediately,” said Becky Hill, former Colleton County Clerk of Court.
That announcement was made in front of the building Hill looked over during Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial. As we’ve followed in the months since, she was accused of tampering and called not credible by Justice Jean Toal.
When asked if the tampering accusations had any role in the announcement, she replied, “No sir.”
Her attorney, Justin Bamberg, made that very clear.
“Today is not in response whatsoever to anything going on with any investigation or anything of that nature,” said Bamberg.
Hill says it has more to do by spending time with her family and stepping aside before she could have been re-elected.
“With the upcoming election I wanted to be sure that I provided ample time for other republican candidates who may be interested in pursuing this position,” said Hill.
Bamberg emphasized that, saying his client’s resignation is for the people who voted him into office in the first place.
“The main focus of today is what is in the best interest of the constituency… the public,” said Bamberg.
WTOC spoke on the phone with a representative from Governor Henry McMaster’s office within the last few hours, who told our team that the governor will work to appoint a replacement for Hill in the coming days. He also said the Colleton County Probate Judge will take over the clerk’s duties in the interim.
ORIGINAL STORY: Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill announced Monday morning she is resigning, effective immediately.
Hill was joined by her attorney, Justin Bamberg, in front of the Colleton County Courthouse.
Hill was the Clerk of Court during Alex Murdaugh’s double murder trial in 2023. Murdaugh requested a new trial after allegations came out that Hill tried to sue jurors to find Murdaugh guilty.
During the hearing for Murdaugh’s new trial request, Justice Jean Toal said Hill, “…was attracted by the siren call of celebrity,” and said her testimony was not credible.
Although Justice Toal believed Hill’s testimony to not be credible, she said the clerk’s actions didn’t impact the guilty verdict and thus Murdaugh’s request for a new trial was denied.
Hill is also the subject of an investigation from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) who are investigating if Hill used her position for personal gain.
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