OUTCRY

South Carolina Lawmaker Urged to Resign After Domestic-Abuse Indictment

Accused of beating wife with a gun in front of their kids.

South Carolina State Rep. Chris Corley is facing calls to resign, one day after he was indicted on felony domestic-violence charges and suspended from his post. Fellow state lawmakers have reacted with dismay to the release of a 911 call in which Corley’s children are reportedly heard pleading with him to stop beating their mother. State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said there should be no question about Corley needing to resign, stressing that “it’s not OK to beat up your wife.... It’s important that we’re very clear to say it’s not acceptable.” Corley, who is accused of pointing a firearm at his wife and engaging in domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, would face 20 years behind bars if found guilty on the charges. Prosecutors say Corley, a vocal gun-rights advocate, hit his wife in the face, head, and body with both a closed fist and a gun—while his children were watching.