S.C. state rep issued $20K bond in domestic abuse case

By Eric DuVall

South Carolina state Rep. Chris Corley was issued $20,000 bond after being charged with felony domestic abuse. The Republican's fate in the state legislature remains unclear. Photo courtesy Aiken County Sheriff's Office 

A South Carolina judge set a $20,000 bond for a state representative charged with assaulting his wife and pointing a gun at her during the domestic dispute.

S.C. State Rep. Chris Corley, 36, was charged with felony charges of domestic dispute and presenting firearms at a person after an incident at his family's home Monday night. The Aiken, S.C., Standard reported the incident began when Corley's wife accused him of cheating. She told deputies during the fight, which took place while the couple's two children were home, he punched her in the face and pointed a handgun at her while threatening to kill her.

In the recording of the 911 call placed from the home, Corley's 8-year-old daughter can be heard begging her father "Daddy, please stop it. Please." The call was ended after just 30 seconds and no one can be heard talking directly to dispatchers, who sent deputies to the address after the call was made to check the situation.

Police said the couple's 2-year-old child also witnessed the incident.

Later, Corley's mother-in-law, who lives across the street from the couple, called 911 herself to report the domestic disturbance and the brandishing of a firearm. As part of the bond, Corley is not permitted to have any contact with his wife and is prohibited from traveling except to and from work.

The Republican's future in the South Carolina state legislature remains unclear.