Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: Alex Murdaugh's Murder Appeal Explodes After Key Court Official Admits to Lying Under Oath
Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Nancy Grace

Main Theme

This episode centers on a dramatic new development in the Alex Murdaugh murder case: Becky Hill, the former Colleton County Clerk of Court who played a pivotal role in Murdaugh's trial, has admitted to serious wrongdoing. Hill pleaded guilty to felony charges for leaking sensitive evidence to the press and lying under oath. Nancy Grace and her team break down how this bombshell affects Murdaugh's ongoing appeal and discuss other major crime stories, including the tragic stabbing of Grammy-nominated opera singer Jubilant Sykes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Becky Hill’s Guilty Plea and Sentencing

• Breaking News: Becky Hill, the clerk who announced Murdaugh's verdict, pleaded guilty to:

  • Two counts of misconduct in office
  • Obstruction of justice
  • Perjury
    (00:01–00:42)

• Crimes Committed:

  • Secretly handed a photographer graphic, sealed court exhibits—specifically, "blood-soaked photos" from the Murdaugh crime scene—to the media in 2023.
  • Lied about it under oath during post-trial hearings.
    (00:30–00:55)
  • Fraudulently pocketed $11,000 through unauthorized county bonuses.
  • Profited from a quickly published book about the case, exploiting her insider access.
    (01:31–01:38)

• Sentencing Details:

  • Judge Heath Taylor sentenced Hill to 3 years’ probation and 100 hours of community service.
  • The judge emphasized that the sentence could have been much harsher had jury tampering been proven:

    “Your sentence would have been much harsher if we had found jury tampering.” — Judge Heath Taylor (01:11)

• Hill's Public Apology:

  “There is no excuse for my mistakes. I am ashamed of them and I will carry that shame with me for the rest of my life.”
  — Becky Hill, addressing the court (01:55)

• Impact on the Alex Murdaugh Appeal:

  • Murdaugh is serving life without parole for murdering his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22; plus 27 years for financial crimes.

  • Murdaugh’s legal team immediately seized on the clerk's perjury as ammunition for his appeal.

    “If Becky admittedly committed perjury in the jury tampering hearing, what else did she lie about?”
    — Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh’s attorney (02:28)

  • The case now proceeds to the South Carolina Supreme Court in February, with Hill's conviction potentially undermining public trust in the trial outcome.

Other Featured Crime Stories

Murder of Jubilant Sykes, Opera Singer (04:09–07:21)

• Incident Details:

  • Jubilant Sykes, 71, acclaimed for his role in Leonard Bernstein’s Mass and performances at the Met and Carnegie Hall, was found stabbed to death in Santa Monica.
  • The alleged perpetrator is his son, Micah Sykes, 31, who suffered from severe mental health issues and had no prior criminal record.

• Key Details:

  • Crime scene described as a "blood-soaked nightmare."
  • Police recovered a weapon and arrested Micah at the scene.
  • Micah is held on $2 million bail; motive and mental health issues remain under investigation.

• Community Impact:

  • The murder sent shockwaves through the music world and Sykes’ church community.
  • Family friend Sammy Murphy:

    “It’s really sad. It's sad for both parties, especially his son. Why would you shoot your dad, man?” (04:34)

Failed Prison Drone Delivery (07:00–07:21)

• Incident Summary:
  • Authorities in South Carolina intercepted a drone attempting a wild "surf and turf" delivery to Lee Correctional: king crab legs, steak, Old Bay seasoning, two bags of marijuana, and two cartons of cigarettes.
  • The drone was intercepted before reaching the inmates.
  • The attempt was described with dry humor:

    “The prison quipped the inmates were probably a little bit crabby after the bust.” (07:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judge Heath Taylor (re: sentencing Becky Hill):

  “Your sentence would have been much harsher if we had found jury tampering.”
  (01:11)

• Becky Hill (apologizing to court):

  “There is no excuse for my mistakes. I am ashamed of them and I will carry that shame with me for the rest of my life.”
  (01:55)

• Dick Harpootlian, Murdaugh Defense Attorney:

  “If Becky admittedly committed perjury in the jury tampering hearing, what else did she lie about?”
  (02:28)

• Sammy Murphy, regarding Jubilant Sykes’ murder:

  "Why would you shoot your dad, man?"
  (04:34)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–01:28 — Introduction and Becky Hill's guilty plea/breakdown of charges.
• 01:29–02:50 — Hill’s court apology, judge’s sentencing, and impact on Alex Murdaugh’s case.
• 04:08–07:00 — The murder of Jubilant Sykes and the suspect’s background.
• 07:00–07:21 — Prison drone-smuggling operation.
• Throughout — Analysis of how Hill’s felonies may influence Murdaugh’s appeal.

Tone and Style

• Direct, detail-rich, and journalistic—Nancy Grace uses brisk, urgent delivery.
• Experts and reporters provide factual recaps, with occasional sharp commentary.
• Emotional resonance is present, especially when discussing families and communities affected by crime.

Conclusion

This episode of Crime Stories with Nancy Grace spotlights seismic developments in the Alex Murdaugh case, examining how perjury and misconduct by a top court official could upend a high-profile conviction. The episode also profiles the tragic murder of Jubilant Sykes and the bizarre world of prison contraband delivered by drone—offering a comprehensive, unflinching look at today’s most intriguing crime stories.