South Carolina Court Official Resigns Amid State Probe into Jurgen Tampering Allegations
Resignation Announcement
Walterboro, S.C.- A South Carolina court official, who is currently under investigation for alleged tampering with the jury in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, announced her resignation on Monday. The Colleton County Clerk of Court, Becky Hill, in a news conference, stated that her resignation is effective immediately.
In her statement, Hill considered her tenure since 2020 as an honor and reflected upon the Court’s work overseeing the high-profile trial of Alex Murdaugh last year. “Managing a trial with such importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as the national and international media interest and public scrutiny, it has caused me to reflect upon decisions involving my stay in the office of the clerk of court,” Hill explained. She professed the conclusion to decline standing for reelection was a consequence of deep reflections.
Highlights of the Investigation
Discussion of her resignation’s timing, Hill suggested it was designed to provide potential Republican successors time to consider their position. She specified her grandchildren as the decisive factor in her decision to step down.
The Murdaugh case has received significant coverage nationwide, following his decline from an established attorney to a life sentence without parole for the murder of his wife and son at their estate. Several true-crime shows, podcasts, and bloggers thoroughly scrutinized the case.
The request for another trial citing allegations of the court clerk’s improper influence on the jury was denied by a judge in January. He stated uncertainty about Hill’s truthfulness regarding contact with the jurors. Nevertheless, the jurors maintained their verdict was uninfluenced by comments.
Current Status of the Investigation
Renée Wunderlich, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division spokesperson, mentioned that active investigations into allegations of jury tampering and misuse of office against Hill are ongoing as of Monday. Hill, as yet, faces no charges.
Justin Bamberg, Hill’s attorney, during the news conference, affirmed that Hill’s resignation decision was not influenced by the ongoing investigation. “Today is not in response to any new development of some investigation or anything like that,” Bamberg clarified. Her resignation letter would be sent to the governor’s office, he stated.
Immediate Aftermath of the Resignation
Later in the day, in a letter, South Carolina’s Governor, Henry McMaster accepted Hill’s resignation. He also instructed the county probate judge to oversee the office until the position could be filled. The governor’s office announced that a replacement would be appointed in the coming days.
