Federal judge dismisses Alex Murdaugh's lawsuit against court clerk
· UPIAug. 6 (UPI) -- A federal judge in South Carolina has dismissed a lawsuit by Alex Murdaugh against a former court clerk who improperly interacted with jurors during his double murder trial in 2023.
Colleton County Clerk of Courts Becky Hill's instructions to the 12-member panel led to the former lawyer's convictions being overturned in May by the South Carolina Supreme Court.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel on Wednesday ruled that Murdaugh could not seek $600,000 from Colleton County Clerk of Courts Becky Hill for his legal fees because she was not involved in the murder charges filed against him.
Murdaugh in May sued Hill under a federal law that allows lawsuits against government officials accused of violating someone's civil rights while acting in their official capacity.
"Plaintiff's claim contains a fatal flaw - the lack of a causal connection between the funds he expended for his defense in the first trial and Defendant's misconduct. Defendant had no role in the initiation of criminal charges against Plaintiff," Gergel reportedly wrote in his ruling.
Gergel's order leaves open the possibility of claims in the future by Murdaugh, whose lawyers have filed a notice of appeal. They reportedly declined further comment on Thursday.
Hill's attorneys applauded the ruling but declined further comment, CNN reported.
The state Supreme Court unanimously vacated Murdaugh's murder convictions and life sentences and ordered a new trial for the June 2021 killings of his wife and son. The case caught the public's attention, resulting in books, documentaries and podcasts.
Murdaugh remains in prison, concurrently serving federal and state sentences after pleading guilty to financial crimes.