Trending Now - Court Clerk's Role Revealed in Murdaugh Murder Trial Scandal

WHO:

Fox News - Alex Murdaugh, Becky Hill (former Colleton County clerk of courts), Richard "Buster" Murdaugh (surviving son of Alex Murdaugh).

Alternet - Alex Murdaugh, Becky Hill, James Lasdun (journalist/author).

WHAT:

Fox News - The South Carolina Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh's two murder convictions and vacated his life sentences.

Fox News - Murdaugh remains incarcerated, serving a 40-year federal sentence for financial crimes.

Fox News - Becky Hill resigned in 2024 after accusations of jury tampering emerged.

Fox News - Hill pleaded guilty to obstruction, perjury, and misconduct charges in December 2025 and received a sentence of three years on probation.

Fox News - The court ruled unanimously that Hill had irreparably tainted the proceedings against Murdaugh.

Alternet - Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and his son, Paul Murdaugh, on March 2, 2023.

Alternet - The South Carolina Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Murdaugh.

WHERE:

Fox News - South Carolina, specifically Colleton County.

Alternet - South Carolina.

WHEN:

Fox News - The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed Murdaugh's convictions on May 13.

Fox News - Murdaugh was sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 2, 2023.

Fox News - Hill was pictured outside her home on May 23, 2026.

Alternet - Murdaugh's convictions were overturned earlier this month.

WHY:

Fox News - The court found that Becky Hill improperly influenced the jury to aim for a guilty verdict to boost her book sales.

Alternet - Hill's actions were described as a flurry of inappropriate remarks made to jurors.

HOW:

Fox News - Hill allegedly made prejudicial remarks to jurors, including telling them to "watch him closely" and not to be "fooled" by Murdaugh.

Alternet - Hill's interference included warnings to jurors not to be "fooled" by Murdaugh and to "watch his body language."

(UPDATED May 26, 2026 16:17 UTC)

The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned Alex Murdaugh's two murder convictions and vacated his life sentences, ordering a new trial due to improper influence by Becky Hill, the former Colleton County clerk of courts. Hill had allegedly made prejudicial remarks to jurors, urging them to closely observe Murdaugh and not to be deceived by him, which the court found irreparably tainted the proceedings. While Murdaugh remains incarcerated for financial crimes, Hill has already pleaded guilty to charges of obstruction, perjury, and misconduct, receiving a sentence of three years on probation.