Nearly three years after his conviction for murder, Alex Murdaugh's legal team has petitioned the South Carolina Supreme Court to overturn the verdict. The defense presented arguments on Wednesday, alleging that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Mary Rebecca Hill improperly influenced the jury during Murdaugh's 2023 trial.
Claims of Constitutional Violations
Murdaugh, a disgraced lawyer serving two life sentences for the killings of his wife and son, is at the center of a high-stakes appeal. His attorney, Dick Harpootlian, contends that Hill compromised Murdaugh's constitutional right to a fair trial to advance her own interests, including writing a book about the case.
'If only the people who may be innocent get a fair trial, then our Constitution isn't working,' Harpootlian stated emphatically during the proceedings.
The Clerk's Downfall
Hill, 58, faced accusations of making inappropriate comments to jurors about Murdaugh's demeanor, along with allegations of jury tampering and multiple ethics violations. She resigned from her position in 2024 amid the growing scandal and later 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 admitted at the time. 'I'm ashamed of them and will carry that shame the rest of my life.' She received a sentence of three years' probation for her actions.
Judicial Scrutiny and Prosecution Response
During the hearing, South Carolina Supreme Court Justice John Kittredge described Hill as a 'rogue clerk' and labeled her behavior during the trial as 'improper.' However, he suggested it might not be severe enough to warrant a reversal of the conviction.
Prosecutor Creighton Waters acknowledged that Hill's comments to the jury were inappropriate but argued they were fleeting compared to the 'overwhelming' evidence against Murdaugh. 'They were not appropriate. They were not,' Waters said. 'But they do not justify reversal.'
Allegations of Influence and Ethics Breaches
Hill's role during the six-week trial included managing the jury, overseeing evidence, and assisting the judge. Investigations revealed that three jurors or alternates reported Hill attempted to influence them, while eleven others stated she did nothing wrong.
Harpootlian claimed Hill referred to Murdaugh's testimony as an 'epic day' and urged jurors not to 'be fooled' by defense evidence. Additionally, a journalist testified that Hill showed graphic crime scene photos to media members, and a warrant indicated she used her position to promote her book on social media.
Hill was accused of 76 counts of ethics violations in May 2024, further complicating the case.
Defense Arguments and Future Implications
Murdaugh's lawyers view Hill's conviction as an opportunity to secure a new trial for their client. 'He insists that he did not kill his wife and child, and he wants the world to know that,' Harpootlian explained. 'And the way that you get that is a new trial.'
The defense also highlighted a lack of physical evidence linking Murdaugh to the murders, such as no blood on his clothes and missing weapons. The Supreme Court will now deliberate privately, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
Even if a retrial is ordered, Murdaugh will remain incarcerated due to a separate 40-year sentence for federal financial crimes. The Daily Mail has reached out to Hill, Harpootlian, and the South Carolina Attorney General's Office for further comment.
