Attorney Seeks Records in Murdaugh Jury Tampering Probe
A lawyer plans to sue South Carolina agencies to force the release of files related to jury tampering investigations.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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Attorney Joe McCulloch announced plans to file a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit after state agencies failed to comply with a court order to release jury tampering investigation records. A circuit court judge previously ordered the files made public on August 14, 2026.
Why it matters
The requested records would allow the public to evaluate how investigators handled allegations of jury tampering that affected a high-profile murder conviction. State agencies have withheld the files, citing a January 2024 protective order as their justification.
A circuit court judge ordered the release of records on August 14, 2026, but the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the attorney general's office have not yet provided the requested files.
The players
Joe McCulloch
He is an attorney based in Columbia who is leading the effort to obtain public records through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Rebecca Hill
She is the former Colleton County clerk of court who pleaded guilty to misconduct in office charges in December 2025.
Alex Murdaugh
He is the defendant whose murder convictions were reversed by the South Carolina Supreme Court in May 2026 following allegations of jury tampering.
Debra McCaslin
She is the circuit court judge who issued an order on August 14, 2026, requiring the disclosure of jury tampering investigation records.
Jean Toal
She is a former justice who issued a protective order regarding the case in January 2024.
The details
The lawsuit aims to compel state agencies to produce investigative documents while allowing for the redaction of juror identities and sensitive personal information. Former Colleton County clerk Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct in office charges in December 2025, though prosecutors declined to pursue criminal jury tampering charges against her.
Timeline
January 2024: Former justice Jean Toal issued a protective order for records.
December 2025: Rebecca Hill pleaded guilty to misconduct charges.
May 2026: The South Carolina Supreme Court reversed Alex Murdaugh's murder convictions.
August 14, 2026: Judge Debra McCaslin ordered the release of records.
October 26, 2026: Attorney Joe McCulloch confirmed plans to file a lawsuit.
Legal Context
This dispute over government transparency follows the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which establishes the public's right to access state records. The current impasse highlights ongoing friction between judicial transparency orders and investigative agency claims of confidentiality.
The potential release of these records will clarify how state law enforcement handled allegations of misconduct within the court system. Residents in South Carolina gain visibility into the accountability processes used by the attorney general's office and state law enforcement.
The takeaway
Transparency remains a central issue in the aftermath of the high-profile Murdaugh case. Legal observers note that the failure to release court-ordered files sets a challenging precedent for public access to sensitive state investigative records.
Further reading
Learn more about local legal developments at Criminal Justice.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FITSNews.
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