COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) – Former Colleton County clerk of court, Becky Hill, was booked Wednesday morning on three felony charges.
The Colleton County jail website shows she was arrested Wednesday morning and shows felony arrest warrants as well as a “hold for South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.”
Hill faces two counts of misconduct in office and one count of obstruction of justice in Colleton County. One charge of perjury in Richland County will be handled today as well.
It will be $10,000 for each charge. Hill’s bond has been set at $30,000.
Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, attorneys for Alex Murdaugh, issued a joint statement: “We are aware of the charges filed against Becky Hill and while these developments are serious, they are not surprising. We have long raised our concerns about her conduct during and after the trial and this arrest further underscores the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process. Every defendant is entitled to a fair and impartial trial and we look forward to Alex Murdaugh finally getting that fair treatment.”
Hill was the Clerk who handled the Alex Murdaugh murder trial back in 2023. She came under fire after the trial for allegedly talking to jurors and possibly trying to sway the decision toward a conviction.
The claim was that she was trying to boost sales of her book “Behind the Doors of Justice” about the trial. She later admitted she plagiarized some of the passages in that book
Hill was placed under an ethics investigation and had to resign her position in June of 2024.
In January of 2024, she took the stand in a Richland County hearing to face questions about possible jury tampering in the Murdaugh case.
Hill denied any wrongdoing. Judge Toal, who was presiding over the case, questioned the validity and honesty of her testimony.
Attorney Joseph M. McCulloch, counsel for two jurors in the Murdaugh trial, released this statement Wednesday. “Today’s indictment is yet another disturbing turn in a case defined by misconduct. The perjury charge against the former Colleton County Clerk of Court stems from her false denial—during a jury tampering hearing—that she allowed improper access to trial exhibits. SLED’s investigation now shows that denial was untrue. She also denied having improper contact with jurors, despite sworn affidavits and testimony from two jurors—including my client, Ms. Crosby—confirming that she did. Ms. Crosby, removed on the first day of deliberations, believes she was deliberately targeted to deny Mr. Murdaugh a fair trial. This case demands accountability. The public deserves answers.” Joe McCulloch”
In June of 2024, after an ethics investigation, Hill was forced to resign her position.
The S.C. Ethics Commission found probable cause in 76 different incidents to believe that Hill repeatedly misused her position to enrich herself and promote her book.
This is an ongoing story. WSAV will provide updates as details continue to arise.
Two counts of misconduct in office and one count of obstruction of justice in Colleton County
$10,000 for each one for a total of 30,000 Bond
One charge of perjury in Richland County will be handled today as well