Alex Murdaugh’s defense team urges the South Carolina Supreme Court to vacate his murder conviction, alleging that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca Hill improperly swayed the jury during his 2023 trial.
The disgraced attorney, currently serving two life sentences for the killings of his wife and son plus 40 years for federal financial crimes, presented arguments to the justices on Wednesday. His lawyers contend Hill’s actions compromised his constitutional right to an impartial jury to boost sales of a book she authored about the case.
Clerk’s Misconduct and Guilty Plea
Hill faced accusations of commenting on Murdaugh’s courtroom demeanor, engaging in jury tampering, and committing multiple ethics violations. She resigned in 2024 amid the scandal and pleaded guilty in December 2025 to two counts of misconduct in office, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of perjury.
“There is no excuse for the mistakes I made,” Hill stated during her plea hearing. “I’m ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life.” She received a three-year probation sentence.
Hill oversaw the jury, managed evidence, and assisted the judge throughout the six-week trial. Investigators found three jurors or alternates believed she attempted to influence them, while 11 others reported no issues. Defense attorney Dick Harpootlian alleged Hill described Murdaugh’s testimony as an “epic day” and urged jurors not to “be fooled” by the defense evidence. A journalist informed investigators that Hill displayed graphic crime scene photos to media members. Authorities also charged her with using her position to promote her book on social media, alongside 76 ethics violations filed last May.
Supreme Court Hearing Highlights
Justice John Kittredge labeled Hill a “rogue clerk” and deemed her trial conduct “improper,” though he noted it might not warrant reversal. “There were top-notch attorneys on both sides and a rogue Clerk,” Kittredge remarked. “It was improper. Perhaps not improper to the point of reversal, but it was improper.”
Prosecutor Creighton Waters acknowledged the comments were inappropriate but argued they were brief compared to the overwhelming evidence against Murdaugh. “They were not appropriate. They were not,” Waters said. “But they do not justify reversal.”
Harpootlian emphasized, “He insists that he did not kill his wife and child, and he wants the world to know that. And the way that you get that is a new trial.” The defense highlighted evidentiary gaps, such as no blood on Murdaugh’s clothes and missing murder weapons.
Next Steps in the Appeal
The Supreme Court will deliberate privately, with a decision potentially weeks away. A retrial order would not affect Murdaugh’s 40-year federal sentence, which he continues to serve.
