Matthew Durham was a member of the Oconee County Council in South Carolina. He was arrested by the State Law Enforcement Division after the county sheriff requested they take the case to avoid the appearance of conflict or favoritism. They investigated and determined that “in September of 2020 Durham caused physical harm or injury to a member of his household by grabbing, pushing and shoving them while two minor children were present…Between March 2020 and August 2021 Durham placed a minor child at unreasonable risk of harm by exposing the minor child to multiple incidents of domestic violence,” from WYFF News.
The governor suspended him from his position until the case was resolved. While waiting for a trial, he reconciled with his wife who told prosecutors she would not testify. They had no choice but drop the case despite the bodily injury and risk to the children. See 50 Reasons Women Don’t Leave Abusive Partners from the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
He was reinstated and welcomed as a conquering hero, the local press said he was cleared which is not the same as declining to prosecute, and to show them all how much they think of him, the council elected him county chair. People gave salutatory speeches while alleging the legal system was weaponized against him.
- WYFF: Oconee county councilman arrested: SLED says
- FITS News: Oconee County Councilman Charged with Domestic Violence and Unlawful Neglect of a Child
