Thread: S.C. lawmaker lands in jail

S.C. lawmaker lands in jail

  CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – A South Carolina lawmaker was arrested after his pistol fired when he confronted two utility workers checking for storm damage in the back*yard of his parents’ home.
  Rep. Wallace Scarborough, 47, was charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill after he brandished and pointed a pistol at utility workers and then fired his gun about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a city of Charleston police report.
  The Charleston Republi*can, who was house sitting for his parents, was released from jail Sunday on a person*al recognizance bond, ac*cording to jail officials.
  Two South Carolina Electric and Gas employees were check*ing electric equipment after a series of storms passed through the area, SCE&G spokesman Eric Boomhower said.
  Scarborough’s lawyer, state Rep. John Graham Alt*man, said Scarborough asked the workers to leave and when they told him they had a right to be there, the lawmaker returned to the house to call police.
  On the way, the gun acci*dentally discharged and a bullet hit the porch, said Alt*man, R-Charleston. One of the workers said the lawmaker shined a flash*light on the pistol and said, “You see what I have? Get off my property,” according to the police report. The work*ers fled when the gun went off, the report said.
  Altman said he wants the charges dismissed and an apol*ogy from the electric company.
  “I don’t think it’s against the law to fire a pistol into your own back porch. It’s ab*solutely obscene to think that a judge would uphold these charges,” Altman said.
  Altman said the workers had “no right to be in his backyard at 9:30 at night. You ought to knock on the door.” Boomhower said the storm cut power in the area but Altman said the lights stayed on at Scarborough’s parents’ home.
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I agree with Altman. Anyone in my backyard after dark is liable to get a load of buckshot for their troubles. The utility workers should have knocked on the door and explained what they were doing. Actually, this should happen even during daylight hours - it's called being considerate and polite. Showing up in my backyard after dark, no matter what the reason, is called tresspassing!