Federal judge dismisses Alex Murdaugh's lawsuit against former clerk
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel dismissed Alex Murdaugh's civil suit seeking reimbursement for legal fees, ruling the claim lacked a causal link to the former clerk's alleged jury interference.
A federal judge in South Carolina dismissed a civil lawsuit filed by Alex Murdaugh against former Colleton County clerk Becky Hill. Murdaugh had claimed Hill violated his right to a fair trial after her comments to jurors were cited by the state Supreme Court as influencing the verdict in the double murder case involving his wife and son.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said the suit, which sought $600,000 to cover Murdaugh's legal expenses, contained a "fatal flaw" because the attorney fees would have been incurred regardless of Hill's conduct. He wrote that Hill had no role in initiating the criminal charges and that Murdaugh had liquidated his retirement account to fund his defense independent of any alleged misconduct.
The judge concluded that Hill's actions were not a proximate cause of Murdaugh's need to pay for his defense and that the case failed the basic test for a common-law or constitutional tort. The dismissal was entered without prejudice, allowing Murdaugh to refile.
Murdaugh's lawyers filed a notice of appeal, indicating they will seek reversal from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The murder convictions were previously overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May after finding "shocking jury interference" by Hill. A new trial is tentatively set for April 5, 2027.