Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against former court clerk is dismissed by a federal judge
Murdaugh’s Lawsuit Against Court Clerk Dismissed by Federal Judge
Healfromzero.com – A federal judge has dismissed Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against former court clerk Becky Hill, ending the disbarred attorney’s attempt to recover legal expenses. US District Court Judge Richard Gergel ruled Wednesday that while Hill’s conduct during the criminal proceedings may have justified a new trial, it did not directly cause Murdaugh to drain his retirement savings for his defense.
The civil rights claim, filed in May under a federal statute, argued that Hill violated Murdaugh’s constitutional rights while acting under state authority. The law allows individuals to sue government employees who infringe upon constitutional protections during their official duties. However, Judge Gergel determined the plaintiff’s case lacked a crucial element.
Missing Causal Connection
In his written order, the judge highlighted the central weakness in the case: the absence of a clear link between Hill’s behavior and the financial burden Murdaugh experienced. The court clerk had no involvement in bringing the criminal charges that resulted in the murder convictions.
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.
Gergel further clarified that Murdaugh’s choice to liquidate his retirement account was essential regardless of courtroom events. The financial pressure would have remained even without Hill’s alleged improprieties.
Simply stated, Defendant’s misconduct was not a proximate cause of Plaintiff’s need to fund his defense costs, and there is no credible allegation that ‘but for’ Defendant’s actions Plaintiff would not have found it necessary to fund his defense costs in the first trial.
Hill’s Legal Challenges and Jury Tampering
Becky Hill, the former Colleton County Clerk of Court, has encountered numerous legal difficulties in recent years. Though never formally charged with jury tampering, her actions during Murdaugh’s trial attracted considerable attention. In December 2025, Hill entered guilty pleas to charges including perjury, obstruction of justice, and official misconduct.
The accusations against her involved several actions: making sealed evidence available to news outlets, providing false testimony under oath about those disclosures, and using her position to promote her published book about the trial. A South Carolina court sentenced her to three years of probation for these offenses.
The South Carolina Supreme Court addressed Hill’s influence in a unanimous decision issued in June 2025. The court overturned Murdaugh’s murder convictions and ordered a new trial for the killings of his wife and son, which occurred in June 2021. The justices concluded that Hill’s improper interactions had compromised the original proceedings.
What Happens Next
The dismissal was issued without prejudice, meaning Murdaugh can pursue additional claims later. His legal team filed a notice of appeal on Thursday and declined to provide further statements at that time. Attorneys representing Hill expressed satisfaction with the outcome, though they noted the case had not yet reached final resolution.
However, since the case is not formally concluded, we cannot comment further at this time, said Hill’s attorney, Chuck Turner, in a brief statement.
Murdaugh’s retrial for the murders of his wife, Maggie, and his 22-year-old son, Paul, is moving forward. A federal judge has set April as the target month for the new proceedings. The case, which captivated national audiences and inspired numerous documentaries, podcasts, and books, continues to develop.
The once-prominent attorney from a South Carolina Lowcountry legal dynasty was originally convicted by a jury in March 2023. He currently remains incarcerated, serving concurrent sentences of 27 years in state court and 40 years in federal court. These terms follow his separate guilty pleas to dozens of financial crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions.
Broader Implications of the Ruling
The dismissal highlights the distinction between procedural errors that warrant retrials and the specific financial damages required for civil liability. While Hill’s actions clearly impacted the fairness of the criminal trial, the court found insufficient evidence linking her conduct directly to Murdaugh’s legal expenses. This distinction may prove im
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