Hendersonville, North Carolina – In the ongoing trial of Alex Murdaugh, Becky Hill, the clerk of court for Colleton County, took the stand on Monday. As the trial delves into allegations of wrongdoing and misbehavior, Hill faced tough questioning from defense attorney Dick Harpootlian. Hill’s book, “Behind the Doors of Justice,” which she co-wrote with Neil Gordon, proved to be a focal point of the cross-examination.
During the intense questioning, Hill confessed to plagiarizing parts of her self-published book. Despite objections from the prosecution, Harpootlian was permitted to continue his line of questioning. Hill admitted to discussing the possibility of writing a book with journalists before the trial, but she claimed that she didn’t approach Gordon about it until weeks after the trial concluded.
Harpootlian also raised questions about the assistance Hill received from other South Carolina clerks during the trial. Hill acknowledged that Rhonda McElveen, the Barnwell County Clerk, and Renee Elvis, the Horry County Clerk, occasionally aided her. She disclosed that she mentioned the idea of writing a book to McElveen.
The conversation then shifted to the jurors’ trip to Moselle. In her book, Hill detailed a conversation she had with a court reporter, a head security officer, and a deputy sheriff during the trip back to the courthouse. According to Hill, they discussed their belief in Murdaugh’s guilt. Harpootlian emphasized that none of these individuals were jurors themselves.
Before becoming Colleton County’s clerk of court, Hill served as a court reporter for approximately 14 years. She asserted that she was well-versed in the rules governing interactions with jurors. Hill claimed that she provided jurors with various amenities during Murdaugh’s six-week trial, including blankets, coffee, tissues, medicine, and snacks, all in the interest of their comfort. The defense, represented by Eric John Waters, questioned whether Hill had attempted to influence the jurors. Hill vehemently denied any such attempt, rejecting allegations of making comments that might have swayed the jurors’ opinions.
As the trial progresses, the intensity continues to rise. Harpootlian’s interrogation of Hill sheds light on controversial aspects of her book and raises concerns about potential improprieties during the trial. The courtroom drama surrounding Alex Murdaugh’s case shows no signs of waning, captivating both the local community and an eager audience following the developments closely.