ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. (AP) — Mary Rebecca 'Becky' Hill, the former court clerk who played a key role in the notorious Alex Murdaugh murder trial, pleaded guilty Monday in a South Carolina court to charges including obstruction of justice and perjury.
Hill admitted to showing sealed court exhibits to a journalist and subsequently lying about these actions in court. In addition, she pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in office for receiving bonuses and for promoting her book on the trial through her official position.
Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill to a year of probation, emphasizing that had the prosecution found her guilty of jury tampering, the consequences would have been more severe. In her defense, Hill expressed remorse and requested a chance to improve, stating, 'There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them.'
As the Clerk of Court, Hill was responsible for managing jury proceedings and overseeing exhibits during Murdaugh's trial, which culminated in his conviction for the murders of his wife and son. The case had significant public interest due to its implications of privilege and corruption within a powerful South Carolina family.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Rick Hubbard disclosed that a journalist had informed investigators about Hill showing graphic crime scene photos to media members. However, the identity of this journalist was not revealed in court.
Hill's guilty plea comes as Murdaugh himself is serving a life sentence for the murders and has been sentenced to additional decades for embezzlement from clients. Despite his legal troubles, Murdaugh's lawyers claimed Hill had displayed bias against him during the trial, alleging she attempted to influence juror decisions based on her own interests.
Furthermore, Hill has faced numerous ethical violations, including misappropriation of funds meant for child support improvement, according to investigators. Her involvement in the controversy has raised questions about the integrity of the judicial process in high-profile criminal cases.
Hill resigned her position in March 2024, citing the intense scrutiny and personal circumstances, including a desire to spend time with family.
