In a dramatic turn of events, Alex Murdaugh has launched a federal lawsuit against a former court clerk, claiming her actions during his 2023 murder trial led to the South Carolina Supreme Court vacating his convictions. This legal battle adds another layer to the already convoluted saga surrounding Murdaugh, who is accused of killing his wife and son.
Filed on Sunday in U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina, the 17-page lawsuit targets Becky Hill, the former clerk whose alleged misconduct allegedly tainted the jury’s impartiality. Murdaugh, a disbarred attorney facing serious charges, seeks to hold Hill accountable for what he describes as “wrongful conduct under color of state law,” while also aiming to recover damages.
Just last week, the state’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Hill’s influence had compromised Murdaugh’s right to a fair trial, ordering a new trial for the double murder case from June 2021. The court’s opinion was scathing, accusing Hill of engaging in “shocking jury interference” and effectively acting as a character witness for the prosecution.
Murdaugh’s attorney, Jim Griffin, expressed frustration at the situation during a press conference, stating, “She deprived Alex of his constitutional rights, deprived him of a fair trial, and as a result, we have to do it all over again.” He emphasized that this lawsuit is not just about seeking damages but also about uncovering the full extent of Hill’s actions.
The Supreme Court’s ruling highlighted that Hill had “placed her fingers on the scales of justice,” a phrase that underscores the severity of her alleged misconduct. While Hill has not faced charges related to jury tampering, she previously pleaded guilty to perjury and misconduct, receiving a sentence of three years of probation for her actions during the trial.
Murdaugh’s lawsuit claims he has suffered monetary damages amounting to $600,000, a figure his legal team insists will not benefit him directly, as he has outstanding debts to various parties. Griffin clarified, “None of this money that is recovered will go to him personally.”
Meanwhile, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced plans to retry Murdaugh for the murder charges as soon as possible, with hopes to initiate the new trial by the end of the year. However, he has also indicated that all legal avenues remain open, including the possibility of pursuing the death penalty.
Murdaugh’s attorney, Dick Harpootlian, criticized Wilson’s statements regarding the death penalty, suggesting they were politically motivated. He questioned the rationale behind the Attorney General’s comments, asking, “What does he know today he didn’t know five years ago?”
Wilson, who is also running for governor, defended his approach, asserting that the case is being treated with the seriousness it deserves. He stated that discussions about the trial are happening within the Attorney General’s Office, free from political influence.
Despite the vacated convictions, Murdaugh remains incarcerated, serving lengthy sentences for unrelated financial crimes. As this legal drama unfolds, the question remains: what will be the next chapter in the Murdaugh saga?
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/18/us/alex-murdaugh-lawsuit-becky-hill
