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Murdaugh Conviction Overturned Due to Clerk's Conduct
13 May
Summary
- Alex Murdaugh's murder conviction was overturned by the State Supreme Court.
- The court cited shocking interference by a court clerk with jurors.
- A new trial will be held; Murdaugh remains in prison for other charges.
The State Supreme Court unanimously overturned Alex Murdaugh's 2023 murder conviction on Wednesday, citing "shocking interference" by a court clerk. The clerk, Becky Hill, allegedly made inappropriate comments to jurors, suggesting Murdaugh's guilt and instructing them to watch him closely before he testified.
This "tainting" of the trial was deemed egregious enough to warrant overturning the guilty verdict. Hill has since resigned and was sentenced to probation for using her office for personal gain after writing a book about the trial.
While the ruling focused on Hill's conduct, the justices also criticized the trial judge for allowing testimony about Murdaugh's financial crimes. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson confirmed the state will retry the case.
Murdaugh, however, will remain incarcerated due to his guilty plea on charges of stealing millions from former clients.
