The children of Chris Corley, who is accused of beating his wife and pointing a gun at her, can be heard screaming “just stop, Daddy” on a 911 call recording.
The 36-year-old South Carolina Republican representative has been charged with first degree domestic violence and pointing a firearm at a person.
The 911 call was made on December 26, and released by police to local media.
Chris Corley recently voted for legislation toughening punishments for domestic violence.
His children can be heard in a recording released to the Aiken Standard newspaper: “Just stop Daddy. Just stop…Daddy, why are you doing this?”
In a second call, a woman identified by the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office as Chris Corley’s mother-in-law tells a dispatcher: “He beat his wife and he’s threatening to kill himself.”
Citing the arrest warrant, the Aiken Standard reports that Chris Corley hit his wife “about the head and face with a closed fist” before pointing a handgun at her. The violence was allegedly committed in front of an 8-year-old child.
The couple has three children.
Chris Corley told police his wife thought he was cheating on her, and he pushed her away when she attempted to strike him, the newspaper reports.
He is known for his efforts to keep the Confederate flag flying outside the South Carolina state house.
The flag was removed in July 2015 after the massacre of nine people in a black church in Charleston by white supremacist Dylann Roof.
During a debate on the issue last year Chris Corley suggested that the Confederate flag should be replaced with the white flag of surrender.
Chris Corley was released on a $20,000 bond and could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted of both charges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oomr2aTaUGE
