Overview
- The state Supreme Court overturned Alex Murdaugh’s 2023 murder convictions after reviewing juror affidavits that described repeated improper comments by Colleton County clerk Becky Hill that could have swayed the jury.
- Court records show Hill also took part in events around the removal of a holdout juror, and jurors and a colleague said Hill sought a guilty verdict in part to boost a book she later withdrew for plagiarism.
- Murdaugh remains jailed on separate theft and fraud convictions that were not disturbed by the ruling, so he is not being released despite the vacated murder verdicts.
- Murdaugh’s lawyers have sued Hill alleging a Sixth Amendment violation and say they will seek records and testimony to learn whether others were involved; prosecutors say they plan to retry the murders and will contest what evidence is allowed.
- The ruling raises practical obstacles for a fair new trial because of intense media coverage, sealed records and expected fights over venue, jury selection and whether prosecutors may use evidence of Murdaugh’s financial crimes as motive.