South Carolina Republican representative and loony toon Confederate flag defender Chris Corley is an elected representative no more. After being arrested for beating his wife in front of their kids in retaliation for being accused of cheating, a court date was set for the second week of February. Corley faces a felony aggravated domestic violence charge and up to 20 years in prison.
A South Carolina state lawmaker accused of beating his wife bloody resigned on Tuesday rather than be expelled from the Statehouse. Rep. Chris Corley still faces a felony aggravated domestic violence charge that could put him in prison for up to 20 years.
House Speaker Jay Lucas read Corley's one-sentence resignation letter to his colleagues, which came as he was preparing to introduce legislation forcing Corley from his House seat.
Corley’s only defense is that his wife “tried to punch” him after accusing him of cheating.
He was initially charged with first-degree domestic violence, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and pointing a firearm. The grand jury returned a more serious charge of "domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature," which alone carries a maximum punishment of 20 years. The gun charge is punishable by five years.
Prosecutors said in court that Corley threw his wife on their bed and began hitting her in the head, once even biting her nose as their young children stood in the doorway. Corley took away his wife's cellphone so she couldn't call for help, but she managed to make the 911 call on her Apple Watch, assistant attorney general Kinli Abee said.
The 911 call has kids screaming in the background pleading with their father to stop. Corley attacked lawmakers who wanted to take down the Confederate flag back in 2015 by sending them Christmas cards.
Corley's holiday card starts with: "May your Christmas be filled with memories of a happier time when South Carolina's leaders possessed morals, convictions and the principles to stand for what is right."
It ends with: "May you have a blessed and happy Christmas, and may you take this joyous time as an opportunity to ask for forgiveness of all your sins such as betrayal."
It’s shocking to find that a man like that is as pointless a person and as big a coward as we all imagined he was. Chris Corley should serve his time.