Judge’s order prohibits man behind S.C. cross burning from causing future nuisances
HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - A Horry County judge gave new restrictions to the man who burned a cross to harass his Black neighbors.
Judge Benjamin Culbertson’s ruling Monday prohibits Worden Butler from causing a nuisance going forward, whether it’s at the site of the cross-burning or anywhere else.
The ruling comes after Butler failed to respond in the temporary injunction case, which a judge granted last March, labeling the home Butler and his girlfriend, Alexis Hartnett, were living in a nuisance.
The injunction also evicted Butler and Hartnett for one year from the Corbett Drive home.
The couple is accused of spending years wreaking havoc in the neighborhood.
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November 2023, facing the home of his Black neighbors, Shawn and Monica Williams, after a property line dispute.
The temporary injunction expires Friday, so 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson pushed for the hearing.
Richardson said if Butler ever causes trouble in the future, he can easily bring a new injunction case against him.
“We would start over and use every tool in our toolbox to make sure the victims and the neighborhood are safe and that they don’t have to put up with that sort of action,” Richardson said.
Richardson said Butler could also potentially be held in contempt, meaning he could face a fine or jail time for going against the order.
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The Williams family said this only gives them a slight peace of mind.
“There is some sense of relief in that aspect,” Shawn said.
“It does give you some anxiety,” Monica said. “Knowing that they have the right to come back to their home if they choose to do so. So, we’re really just praying for our safety and the safety of our neighborhood.”
The Williams family said they will continue pushing for a statewide hate crimes law, and they plan to speak at a rally in Columbia next month.
Butler received time served in January for the cross-burning.
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