Former South Carolina Court Clerk Pleads Guilty Amid Murdaugh Scandal

Mon Dec 08 2025 20:09:24 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Mary Rebecca Hill has pleaded guilty to multiple charges linked to misconduct during the controversial Alex Murdaugh trial, stemming from ethical violations, including sharing sealed evidence.

Mary Rebecca 'Becky' Hill, the former Colleton County Clerk of Court, has pleaded guilty to four charges related to misconduct during the high-profile murder trial of Alex Murdaugh. Hill was found guilty of obstruction of justice, perjury, and misconduct in office after showing sealed evidence to the media. Her actions led to a probationary sentence, although she could have faced harsher penalties.

ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. — Mary Rebecca 'Becky' Hill, the former court clerk who oversaw the high-profile murder trial of attorney Alex Murdaugh, has pleaded guilty to several criminal charges. On Monday, Hill admitted to showing sealed court exhibits to a photographer and lying about it in court.

In the Colleton County Circuit Court, she pleaded guilty to four counts of obstruction of justice and perjury and two counts of misconduct in office. Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill to one year of probation, warning that her punishment could have been more severe had it been proven that she attempted to interfere with the jury.

During the proceedings, Hill expressed remorse for her actions, stating, 'There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them.' As the Clerk of Court, Hill played a critical role in managing the jury and court exhibits during Murdaugh's trial, which culminated in his conviction for the murders of his wife and son.

Hill's misconduct has drawn significant attention, especially as it related to her attempt to promote a book she had written about the trial. Prosecutors revealed that she shared graphic crime scene images with several media members, violating a court order to keep these materials confidential. Hill’s involvement has raised questions regarding her impartiality in the trial and the integrity of the judicial process.

Solicitor Rick Hubbard disclosed that investigators received tips from journalists indicating Hill's inappropriate interactions with the media. In addition to her other charges, Hill was accused of accepting bonuses that were misappropriated from federal funds intended for child support improvements.

Further complicating Hill's situation is her previous ethical violations, including allowing unauthorized photographs of Murdaugh in custody to be taken. These transgressions led to her resignation in March 2024, amid increasing public scrutiny related to the Murdaugh case.

Murdaugh is currently serving a sentence of life without parole for the murders and has also admitted to stealing millions from clients as well as his law firm, leading to separate convictions.