SOUTH CAROLINA: Confederate Flag-Loving GOP State Rep. Chris Corley Charged With Domestic Violence

The State reports:

Aiken County Rep. Chris Corley was arrested Tuesday on charges of punching his wife in the face and pointing a 9mm pistol at her when she accused him of cheating, according to Aiken County sheriff’s records.

Corley, R-Graniteville, was charged with first-degree criminal domestic violence, which is a felony, and pointing and presenting a firearm at his wife of 12 years in the presence of two of their children, ages 2 and 8, an incident report states.

The 36-year-old legislator faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of the domestic violence charge, which is the most serious of three degrees of domestic violence. Corley’s wife told deputies that Corley on Monday night threatened to kill her and that all that stopped him was the screams of the children, according to the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office report.

Corley’s wife – who is not being named by The State newspaper – said the state legislator grabbed a Smith & Wesson handgun from a vehicle outside of their home and pointed it at her, according to the report. That happened after his punch drew blood, she said. The lawmaker then went into a bedroom, after saying he “was going to kill himself,” his wife, 37, told deputies.

If Corley’s name rings a bell, that could be from when he sent taunting Xmas cards to fellow Republicans because they had “surrendered” on flying the Confederate flag over the South Carolina statehouse.