In a dramatic turn of events, the court clerk accused of tampering with the jury in the high-profile murder trial of Alex Murdaugh has vehemently denied all allegations made against her. Colleton County Clerk of Court, Rebecca Hill, filed a sworn statement on Tuesday, denying that she asked jurors if they believed Murdaugh was guilty before deliberations or suggested that she believed he killed his wife and son.

Prosecutors included Hill's statement in court filings, arguing that there is no need for a hearing where jurors, Hill, other court employees, and even the trial judge could be questioned under oath and have their messages and texts subpoenaed. This comes in response to the defense's request for a new trial based on Hill's alleged actions.

Murdaugh's six-week murder trial, which concluded in March, captivated the nation with its mix of privilege, brutality, and power. The judges, lawyers, and Hill herself became minor celebrities throughout the highly publicized trial. However, the defense claims that Hill influenced the jury and is seeking a full hearing to investigate their allegations.

According to the defense, Hill made several allegations, including telling jurors that their deliberations shouldn't take long, implying Murdaugh's guilt. They also claim that Hill had private conversations with the jury forewoman in a bathroom and handed out business cards of media members who wanted interviews before deliberations. Hill's sworn statement debunks each of these allegations, calling them false.

The state Attorney General's Office has come to Hill's defense, arguing that Murdaugh is attempting to save himself by projecting his own manipulative psyche onto a dedicated public servant. They believe that the defense's allegations against Hill are baseless and should not be entertained.

Murdaugh is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the shooting deaths of his wife and younger son in 2021. Even if his conviction were to be overturned, he faces additional charges for federal crimes, including stealing millions of dollars from clients and his family law firm. The trial for these charges is set to begin later this month.

Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over Murdaugh's trial, will ultimately decide whether to hold a hearing where jurors can be questioned. However, the defense is requesting the South Carolina Supreme Court to remove Newman from both the appeal and any future trials, citing his alleged lack of impartiality.

In response to Hill's denials, prosecutors have argued that the motion for a new trial should be denied, emphasizing that the jurors performed a tremendous public service and should not be subjected to further stress or impeachment. They believe that exposing jurors to additional litigation and media scrutiny could discourage citizens from willingly participating in their civic duty.

As the legal battle continues to unfold, the truth behind the alleged jury tampering remains uncertain. Both sides are fiercely defending their positions, with Hill maintaining her innocence and Murdaugh's defense team pushing for a new trial. The South Carolina Supreme Court will ultimately decide the fate of Murdaugh's appeal and whether a hearing will be held to further investigate the alleged tampering.