Chris Corley

Overview

South Carolina Republican state Representative Chris Corley, best known for protesting the removal of the Confederate flag from the state capitol, pleaded guilty on August 7, 2017, to first-degree domestic violence after beating his wife in front of their children and pointing a 9mm pistol at her. He resigned from the House in January 2017.

Description

In December 2016, during an argument in which his wife accused him of infidelity, Corley punched her in the face, pointed a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE 9mm pistol at her, and threatened to kill her — all in the presence of two of their children, who pleaded with him to stop. Corley was indicted in January 2017 on domestic violence and weapons charges and was suspended from office; he formally resigned on January 24, 2017. On August 7, 2017, he pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic violence and was sentenced to five years’ probation (later reduced to two years), community service, and court-ordered anger management.