A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against the former clerk of court whose interaction with the jury in his 2023 trial led to his murder convictions being overturned earlier this year.
Background
Former Colleton County, South Carolina, Clerk of Court Becky Hill’s improper interactions may have caused Murdaugh to receive a new trial. However, US District Court Judge Richard Gergel ruled her actions were not the reason the disbarred attorney spent $600,000 in legal fees during his initial prosecution.
Murdaugh sued Hill in May under a federal civil rights statute that allows someone to sue a government official accused of violating their civil rights while acting under the color of state law.
“Plaintiff’s claim contains a fatal flaw — the lack of a causal connection between the funds he expended for his defense in the first trial and Defendant’s misconduct. Defendant had no role in the initiation of criminal charges against Plaintiff,” Gergel wrote in his order.
Outcome
The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open for potential future claims by Murdaugh. Murdaugh’s legal team has filed a notice of appeal and declined further comment.
Attorneys for Hill praised the ruling, saying they were “very pleased.”
Hill has never been charged with jury tampering. However, in December 2025, she pleaded guilty to perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
