Colleton County Courthouse, Walterboro, S.C.

MORNING NEWSBREAK  |  Becky Hill, the Colleton County clerk of court currently under investigation amid allegations of tampering with the jury last year in the Alex Murdaugh murder trial, on Monday announced her immediate resignation.

Murdaugh and his defense team have accused Hill of tampering with the jury and attempting to persuade the trial’s outcome. She is also under investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for whether she used her position for personal gain.

Hill said in a news conference that she wanted to leave time for Republican candidates interested in running to be clerk of court and cited her grandchildren as one of the reasons she is leaving. Filing ends April 1.

Hill’s lawyer, state Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, added her resignation wasn’t about an investigation, but about the people of Colleton County. 

According to media reports, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster accepted Hill’s resignation in a letter and notified the county’s probate judge that he should take charge of the office until the position can be filled.

SLED investigations into allegations of jury tampering and misuse of office are active and ongoing, according to officials. No charges have been filed against her.


In other recent news: 

CP ARCHIVES: What to do about pollen. This year’s pollen seems more horrible than usual.  Read this story from last year about how you can fight it.

CP NEWS:  Join Dolphin Week celebrations in April.  It’s that time of the year again to celebrate the playful dolphin and other marine mammals!

CP ARTS:  Spoleto Festival to offer free admission to local nonprofits.  Spoleto Festival USA is now accepting applications for its Open Stage Door program. Through this community engagement initiative, Spoleto offers complimentary tickets to Charleston nonprofit organizations.

Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapses after being struck by ship. A major bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a freighter. Twenty people are believed to be in the waters near the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a fire official said.

Imports nudge Charleston’s cargo volume into positive territory. The S.C. State Ports Authority reported a slight year-over-year increase in containerized cargo in February, boosted by a strong jump in imports. It marked its first such gain since June.

26-year-old man identified as washed up body found on James Island. The body that washed ashore near a popular park on James Island has been identified as the missing Mount Pleasant person reported March 23.

Charleston Water System settles lawsuits with 6 wipes manufacturers, retailers. The Charleston Water System filed a lawsuit in 2021, seeking injunctive relief to remedy costly and ongoing damage from wet wipes to sewer systems and treatment facilities. The settlement ensures that by mid-2025, nearly all flushable wipes available to customers across the country “will truly be flushable.” Meanwhile, Sullivan’s Island is at risk of losing water after CWS claims the area owes over a half million dollars in bills. 

Advocacy for teacher raises continues in Charleston Co. Many Charleston County School District teachers and members of the public showed their support Monday night towards the push for livable wages for all educational staff in the district.

Osborne announces run for Ninth Circuit Solicitor. Democratic candidate David Osborne of Charleston announced his bid for S.C.’s Ninth Circuit Solicitor, challenging incumbent GOP Solicitor Scarlett Wilson.

I-526 widening project leader reveals impact of environmental study. The Interstate 526 widening project director gave an update on the project’s status and what leaders are planning to do to help those who will lose their homes due to the road widening.

Northern pitchfork opens on Johns Island. The long-awaited “northern pitchfork” that connects Maybank Highway and River Road on Johns Island opened Monday, just in time for the afternoon rush.

Former College of Charleston researcher accused of stealing fossils from college. A former employee of the College of Charleston is under investigation after rare fossils were reported missing from the College of Charleston’s Mace Brown Natural History Museum.

Boeing CEO to exit in broad management shakeup. Boeing announced Monday that its top executive plans to step down, coming on the heels of several stories of poor manufacturing earlier this year.


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