Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against former court clerk is dismissed by a federal judge
Murdaugh’s Lawsuit Against Court Clerk Dismissed by Federal Judge
Goldlaner.com – A federal judge has dismissed the civil case brought by Alex Murdaugh against Becky Hill, the former Colleton County, South Carolina, clerk of court. The lawsuit alleged that Hill’s improper interactions with jurors during the 2023 murder trial caused financial harm to the disbarred attorney. While the South Carolina Supreme Court had already overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions citing Hill’s conduct, a separate federal ruling determined her actions did not directly cause the legal expenses he sought to recover.
US District Court Judge Richard Gergel issued the dismissal on Wednesday. He concluded that although Hill’s behavior warranted a new trial, it was not the proximate cause of the $600,000 in legal expenses Murdaugh incurred during his initial prosecution. The lawsuit, filed in May under a federal civil rights statute, alleged that Hill’s misconduct forced Murdaugh to deplete his retirement savings to pay for his defense.
Understanding the Court’s Decision
Judge Gergel’s order emphasized the missing link between Hill’s actions and Murdaugh’s financial decisions. The judge noted that the criminal charges against Murdaugh were initiated independently of any involvement by the court clerk. Furthermore, the defense funding was deemed necessary regardless of whether Hill had acted improperly.
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.
The judge further explained that Murdaugh’s liquidation of his retirement account served a fundamental purpose independent of Hill’s conduct. Simply stated, the misconduct was not the direct reason Murdaugh needed to fund his defense costs, and no credible evidence suggested that but for Hill’s actions, Murdaugh would not have spent those funds in the first trial.
Next Steps for Both Parties
The dismissal was issued without prejudice, meaning Murdaugh retains the option to pursue additional or amended claims in the future. His legal team has already filed a notice of appeal and declined to provide further comment on Thursday. Attorneys representing Hill expressed satisfaction with the outcome, though they noted the case remains technically open.
However, since the case is not formally concluded, we cannot comment further at this time, said Hill’s attorney, Chuck Turner, in a statement.
Hill has never faced charges related to jury tampering, despite the South Carolina Supreme Court’s finding that her improper influence marred the original proceedings. In December 2025, she entered guilty pleas to perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct. Prosecutors alleged that Hill made sealed evidence accessible to media outlets, provided false testimony under oath regarding those disclosures, and leveraged her official position to promote her book about the high-profile trial. She received a sentence of three years probation.
Background on the Murdaugh Case
Murdaugh, a once-prominent attorney hailing from a South Carolina Lowcountry legal dynasty, was convicted by a jury in March 2023 of murdering his wife, Maggie, and his 22-year-old son, Paul. The case captured national attention and generated numerous true crime documentaries, podcasts, and books examining the complex web of financial crimes and family tragedy.
The South Carolina Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion vacating Murdaugh’s murder convictions and ordering a retrial for the June 2021 killings. Murdaugh’s next hearing in the retrial is scheduled for next week, with a judge having set a formal retrial date for April.
Meanwhile, Murdaugh remains incarcerated, serving concurrent sentences of 27 years in state prison and 40 years in federal prison after separately pleading guilty to dozens of financial crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions. The outcome of his upcoming retrial will determine whether he faces additional prison time for the murders of his wife and son.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit dismissed? The federal judge ruled that while Becky Hill’s misconduct warranted a new trial, it was not the direct cause of the $600,000 in legal expenses Murdaugh sought to recover from his retirement savings.
What are Becky Hill’s current legal status? Hill entered guilty pleas in December 2025 to perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct. She received three years probation and has never faced charges related to jury tampering.
When is Murdaugh’s retrial scheduled? The next hearing is scheduled for next week, with a formal retrial date set for April 2026.
Can Murdaugh appeal the dismissal? Yes, his legal team has already filed a notice of appeal. The dismissal was issued without prejudice, allowing for additional or amended claims in the future.
