S. Carolina state rep. Chris Corley resigns; faces domestic violence charge

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina state lawmaker accused of beating his wife bloody resigned on Tuesday rather than be expelled from the Statehouse. Rep. Chris Corley still faces a felony aggravated domestic violence charge that could put him in prison for up to 20 years.

House Speaker Jay Lucas read Corley's one-sentence resignation letter to his colleagues, which came as he was preparing to introduce legislation forcing Corley from his House seat.

"I am grateful that the House did not have to take such extraordinary measures," said Lucas, R-Hartsville.

While the state constitution gives the House authority to remove a member for disorderly conduct, the House hasn't expelled one of its own since the 1870s, according to the speaker's office.

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