Judge rejects Murdaugh bid for legal fees from former clerk

Murdaugh’s lawyers reportedly appeal after lawsuit dismissal

A federal judge in South Carolina has dismissed Alex Murdaugh’s lawsuit against Becky Hill, a former Colleton County clerk of courts, over legal fees connected to Murdaugh’s first murder trial.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel ruled Wednesday that Murdaugh could not seek $600,000 from Hill because she was not involved in the initiation of the murder charges filed against him. Murdaugh brought the case in May under a federal law allowing lawsuits against government officials accused of violating civil rights while acting in their official capacity.

Gergel wrote that the claim contained a “fatal flaw” because there was no causal connection between the money Murdaugh spent defending himself in the first trial and Hill’s misconduct. The ruling also said Hill had no role in initiating the criminal charges.

Murdaugh’s lawyers have filed a notice of appeal and reportedly declined further comment Thursday. Gergel’s order leaves open the possibility that Murdaugh could bring claims in the future.

Hill’s attorneys applauded the ruling but declined further comment, CNN reported.

Murdaugh sued Hill in May. The South Carolina Supreme Court also acted in May, unanimously vacating Murdaugh’s murder convictions and life sentences and ordering a new trial for the June 2021 killings of his wife and son.

The source account said Hill’s instructions to the 12-member panel during the 2023 double-murder trial led to the convictions being overturned.

The case has drawn public attention and produced books, documentaries and podcasts.

Murdaugh remains in prison while concurrently serving federal and state sentences after pleading guilty to financial crimes.