Former Colleton County court clerk Becky Hill faces serious allegations of misconduct during one of South Carolina's most high-profile murder trials.

According to Fox News, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced multiple felony charges against the 57-year-old former clerk, with the accusations spanning two counties.

In Colleton County, Hill faces obstruction of justice and misconduct charges, while Richland County authorities charged her with perjury stemming from her January 2024 testimony during a South Carolina Supreme Court hearing.

According to SLED, Hill allegedly provided false testimony during the February hearing in response to a question from former Chief Justice Jean Toal about whether she allowed journalists to review sealed evidence materials from the Murdaugh trial.

Conflicting Testimony Leads To Serious Legal Blows

Hill answered “No, ma’am,” but investigators say that statement contradicted confirmed reports indicating she had permitted media access to exhibits that should have been off limits. This accusation contributes to the perjury charge she now faces.

Defense attorneys for Alex Murdaugh, Dick Harpootlian, and Jim Griffin issued a statement following Hill’s arrest, saying it reinforced their concerns about how the trial was handled. They argued that every person has the right to “a fair and impartial trial,” and they hope this new information will finally bring about that opportunity for Murdaugh.

In 2023, Murdaugh was convicted of the murders of his wife and son, but his defense team later filed a motion seeking a new trial, citing Hill’s alleged jury tampering. During that trial, 11 out of 12 jurors said her conduct or comments did not affect their decisions, while one juror admitted hearing her remark on Murdaugh’s body language but denied it influenced their conclusion.

Hill's Resignation and Public Statements on Stepping Down

Hill resigned from her position in March 2024. At that time, she stated that her decision to leave office was not related to the allegations or any ongoing investigations. Speaking publicly, Hill said she chose to give more attention to her family and allow space for other local Republican candidates to run for the clerk’s office.

In her resignation remarks, Hill described the 2023 murder trial as a pivotal moment for the community. She praised how residents and court officials handled intense media coverage and scrutiny. She also expressed deep reflection on the long-term demands of public office following such a high-profile event.

Her former attorney, Justin Bamberg, also emphasized in March that Hill’s departure was not connected to any pending inquiries about her behavior during or after the Murdaugh trial.

Allegations of Financial Misuse and Book Promotion

In addition to the perjury and misconduct claims, Hill has faced criticism and ethical inquiries about her conduct related to promoting a book she co-authored about the Murdaugh trial. The South Carolina Ethics Commission previously accused Hill of leveraging her public position for personal gain through the book's release and marketing.

Hill promoted the book on social media, and during the publicity, she admitted to and apologized for plagiarizing portions of the content. These accusations raised further questions about her judgment and use of official resources while in public office.

Allegations also emerged earlier that Hill had misused federal funds allocated to her office, including issuing nearly $10,000 in bonuses to herself and purchasing paint, pet supplies, and employee gifts using government money.

Legal Experts Say New Trial Request Could Gain Ground

South Carolina attorney Eric Bland weighed in this week, stating that Hill’s perjury charge might significantly impact the decision made earlier this year to deny Murdaugh a new trial. Bland called the situation “complicated” and noted the perjury allegation stemmed directly from Hill’s February 2024 statements to the state’s highest court.

“I used to think there was very little chance our Supreme Court would reverse the earlier decision,” Bland said. But in light of Hill’s arrest, he added, the potential for a reversal appears higher than before.

While Hill’s attorney, Will Lewis, said he and his client learned of the charges only the night before her arrest, he confirmed that Hill showed up voluntarily in Colleton County to face booking on Wednesday.

Political and Legal Fallout Continues to Unfold

Hill served about four years as Colleton County Clerk of Court before stepping down voluntarily. Her involvement in a nationally watched criminal trial, followed by ethical and now criminal allegations, has reshaped the public image and scrutiny attached to administrative roles in the legal system.

Although prosecutors, the Murdaugh defense team, and the judiciary await further proceedings on both the charges against Hill and the outcome of Murdaugh’s appeal, the current legal drama surrounding Hill has added another layer to South Carolina’s already complex judicial saga.

As the situation develops, lawmakers and legal experts are likely to reassess judicial protocols, especially concerning interactions between court staff and trial jurors. For now, Hill remains out on bond as both her future and Murdaugh’s case hang in legal uncertainty.