WALTERBORO, S.C.—Becky Hill, a former court clerk in South Carolina, has seen her life turned upside down after the publication of her tell-all book about the high-profile Murdaugh murder trial. The book, Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders, led to the overturning of Alex Murdaugh's conviction for murdering his wife and son. The state's Supreme Court ruled that Hill had interfered with the jury in pursuit of fame and book sales, calling her actions 'breathtaking and disgraceful.'
Hill, who had previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in office, perjury, and obstruction of justice, is now facing a lawsuit from Murdaugh for violating his civil rights. The lawsuit seeks to recover some of the $600,000 Murdaugh spent on his legal defense.
The case is an example of the perils of a small-town official being drawn into the spotlight of a true-crime drama. Hill's fall from grace has left many in her hometown of Walterboro stunned and saddened.
'I don't think she meant to do it, but she did,' said Annette Davis Bradley, owner of Downtown Envy, an antiques store near the Colleton County Courthouse where Hill presided. 'She was just a warm, friendly person. Everybody loved her.'
Hill's book reveals her personal history with the Murdaugh family, including a story about her grandfather and Alex Murdaugh's grandfather being 'handshake business partners' in the moonshine business. However, the book has been marred by controversy, including allegations of plagiarism and financial improprieties.
Despite the scandal, some residents of Walterboro refuse to join the mob casting stones at Hill, arguing that she was taken advantage of by outsiders.
