In a surprising turn of events, Rebecca "Becky" Hill, the South Carolina court clerk accused of tampering with the jury in the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh, has resigned from her position as Colleton County clerk of court. Hill, who was elected in 2020, announced her immediate resignation during a press conference held outside the courthouse on Monday.

Hill, who ran as a Republican and won with over 55 percent of the vote, expressed pride in the seamless functioning of the clerk's office despite her departure. She also thanked the people of Colleton County for their support during her tenure. Hill's lawyer, Justin Bramberg, confirmed that a signed copy of her resignation would be sent to Governor Henry McMaster's office on Monday.

It should be noted that Hill's resignation is not in response to any ongoing investigations or related issues, according to Bramberg. However, it comes five months after she faced allegations of improperly influencing the jury that convicted Murdaugh for the murder of his wife and son at their family's hunting estate in 2021. These allegations, made by Murdaugh's defense team in their bid for a new trial, prompted an ethics complaint and two state investigations into Hill's alleged misconduct.

Furthermore, Hill's book about Murdaugh's high-profile trial, titled "Behind the Doors of Justice," has encountered its own controversy. The sale of the book was halted after Hill admitted to plagiarism.

Despite keeping a low profile in recent months, Hill had until April 1 to decide whether she would run again for court clerk. However, she announced her decision not to seek reelection, citing her desire to focus on her family.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently investigating Hill's actions, and her co-author, Neil Gordon, confirmed being interviewed by a SLED agent regarding Hill's book signings, interviews, and speaking engagements during working hours. Gordon expressed hope that Hill's resignation would restore public trust in the office of the clerk of court.

Murdaugh's defense team accused Hill of encouraging the jury to deliver a swift verdict and engaging in private conversations with the jury foreperson during the trial. They also alleged that Hill pushed for a guilty verdict to secure a book deal. However, during an evidentiary hearing in January, Hill denied making any statements that would sway the jury's opinion or seeking to boost book sales.

Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, who presided over the hearing, ultimately denied Murdaugh's request for a new trial but criticized Hill's actions. Toal accused Hill of being swayed by the allure of fame and her personal desire for a guilty verdict.

With Hill's resignation, the Colleton County clerk of court office will now face a transition in leadership. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact Murdaugh's case and the wider judicial process in South Carolina.