Flier resurrects Scarborough gunshot incident
State Rep. Wallace Scarborough's gunshot in the dark is coming back to haunt him.
A flier distributed by Anne Peterson Hutto, who is opposing state Rep. Wallace Scarborough, pictures an actor as a criminal.
Thousands of James Island voters this week received a home mail-out reminding them of the bullet Scarborough fired just moments after two South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. workers wandered onto his parents' property at night looking for storm damage.
Nobody was hurt in the July 2006 incident, and his two counts of assault with intent to kill were eventually dropped.
Scarborough's Democratic challenger, Anne Peterson Hutto, said the episode, and Scarborough's conduct afterward, are legitimate campaign fodder.
"It shows bad judgment on the part of Mr. Scarborough, and there is nothing in this mailer that isn't true," she said.
Scarborough said the mailer, emblazoned with a nearly life-size picture of a man's hand clutching a gun, is an inflammatory piece of negative advertising. But he said he'll ignore it.
"I feel it's just going to backfire on her," he said.
Previous Stories
Dist. 115 rivals spar over gifts, published 10/22/08
Lawmaker spends night in jail on assault charges, published 07/17/06
Official: 'If I wanted to shoot at them, they'd be dead', published 07/18/06
Scarborough won't be prosecuted, published 07/22/06
The flier was sent to more than 7,000 voters in House District 115 on James Island and Folly Beach. Its cover features a photograph of a disheveled male actor posing as someone just charged with trying to kill someone.
Inside, above a grainy reproduction of Scarborough's mug shot, the flier says, "This man is our state representative — even though they were both charged with the same crime."
The flier doesn't indicate that the man pictured on the cover is an actor.
"Rep. Wallace Scarborough was sent to jail after being charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill," the ad says. "But instead of doing the right thing and resigning, he wants us to send him back to the Legislature as our representative."
The flier then mentions local issues like sprawl and education before adding: "Wallace Scarborough is just too distracted with his own problems to get the job done — and it's time for a change."
Scarborough
The only mention of Hutto is a note saying the message was "paid for by Hutto for House."
Hutto's campaign manager said the use of the photo of an actor posing as a criminal isn't an attempt to mislead. "The guy is not real; unfortunately, Wallace is," campaign manager Mike Meehan said.
Scarborough's arrest came on a stormy night in July 2006 after he saw bright flashlights moving outside in the backyard of his parents' Crescent neighborhood home in West Ashley. He was alone at the time and thought the people might be burglars.
Out in the yard, he had a confrontation with two uniformed SCE&G linemen who were looking for storm-damaged areas. As they were leaving the yard, Scarborough said later, his 9 mm handgun accidentally discharged into the ground as he was walking away from the men.
The linemen called police, and Scarborough was arrested and booked into the county detention center where he spent the night.
Days later, then-solicitor Republican Ralph Hoisington dropped the charges, saying the incident was a misunderstanding that escalated in the dark, and that Scarborough's conduct that night did not amount to assault with intent to kill.
Scarborough, who is seeking a fifth term in the House of Representatives, said Thursday he didn't want to react to the mail piece rekindling the old charge. "I'm just moving forward," he said.
Hutto said the ad accurately tells voters about Scarborough's character. "It's something that happened that I think people need to be aware of," she said.
Contact Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551, or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 34 comment(s)
Posted by CedarPosts on October 24, 2008 at 3:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought the guy on the front of the flyer was Scarborough.
Had me fooled!
Pretty much a dumb move on Hutto's part, as she had the election pretty much locked up riding the Obama train to Novemeber 4th.
I doubt he'd take a shot at the SCE&G employees, though my bill was pretty steep last month.
More at http://cedarposts.blogspot.com
Posted by Tides on October 24, 2008 at 5:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Crescent is and that house is in the City Limits. Discharging any firearm in the city is a crime in itself.
Scarborough should have called the police instead of going outside with a 9mm that he obviously does not know how to handle very well at all.
That prosecutor gave Scarborough "preferential treatment" and dismissed the charges the police brought against him after they investigated because he is a state politician. Your average joe would have been convicted of something.
Anyone know what the police investigative reports and affidavits for arrest say?
Posted by ballachulish on October 24, 2008 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheney shot a friend in the face after a few beers, and didn't get charged.
Bob Barr accidently shoots a 38 during a reception in his honor, again no charges.
Any surprise that Scarborough got away with shooting at SCE&G employees, please.
Posted by Ruedisuelli on October 24, 2008 at 6:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The voters of Beaufort County dumped Scarborough's girlfriend, State Sen. Catherine Ceips, in the primary election. She is now finishing out her lame duck political career.
Maybe the voters in Charleston County can do the same for Frat Boy Wallace.
Posted by wonderdog on October 24, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Excuse me, ballachulish. I believe the award for the most preferential treatment goes to Teddy Kennedy, who at the very least committed negligent homicide/felony DUI against Mary Jo Kopechne. The rest of the top ten would also include several members of that Kennedy gang, though we can finally remove Michael Skakel from the list.
I am NO fan of Scarborough's, but this kind of campaigning by anyone is uncalled for.
Posted by taxicab on October 24, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anne Hutto is obviously a pig wallowing in mud. So instead of telling us that she wants to raise our taxes, is for gay marriage, and plans to always vote like the liberal she is - she brings up this garbage?
Pathetic. But what can one expect from the likes of Anne Hutto and her friends? Probably more of the same kind of trash in the next few days.
Shame on you Hutto.
Posted by JIgrad on October 24, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in James Island and I don't know anyone who is voting for Wallace. I can't imagine anyone voting for him after reading this article.
Posted by MP on October 24, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sage advice - believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. What you see is campaign crap. You know how you know when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving. The candidate, instead of running on the merits of her ultra-liberal position, which would likely keep her from being elected, chooses to be quiet about them and try to get elected through a smear campaign of her opponent. If you fall for it shame on you.
Posted by eyeinthesky on October 24, 2008 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hutto in a desparation grasping... hopefully it will not work.
Another Democrat misleading ad.... but she did keep the BUZZ WORD "CHANGE" in there...
Keep Scarborough... so you can still own a gun for protection!!!
Posted by Jim_Isle on October 24, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It says something about his opponent that she had to dredge up things from years ago. This reminds you of Platt's campaign calling the day before the last election saying "I've just come from the office of the attorney handling his wife's divorce and wanted to let you know what she has to say." And the JIgrad just read this article? When Hutto actually comes up with a platform other than her shoes, that's the time to decide, but if the only platform is to disparage and defame someone like this, then shame on Hutto. And the people who vote for this garbage to continue.
Posted by ballachulish on October 24, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only misleading thing about the ad is the picture.
Scarborough shot at the SCE&G employees, was arrested and got off due to the GOB GOP network.
And wonderdog, If I lived in Mass., I never would have voted for Ted Kennedy, either.
Posted by Uncas on October 24, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regardless of one's preference, this is the kind of gutter tactics that keeps other respectable people from getting into politics. We get exactly what we deserve - the dregs of society!
Posted by yird on October 24, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Come poking around my home after dark; I may not accidentally misfire into the ground.
Posted by ballachulish on October 24, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Trust me yird, I know better than to sneak around a trailer park at night.
Posted by elcid81 on October 24, 2008 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hutto is using anything she can to win. I too am appalled at all this negative campaigning. I can't wait for 5 Nov, so I can have some peace. I have problems with Hutto's liberal ideas and beliefs, so that is enough for me. I don't need a poster with some stupid looking dude on it to persuade me......And step onto my property at night and uninvited, my gun might have a tendency to go off while cleaning. Don't ask me to wait for Charleston's finest...let them police the city pool. I can take care of my own yard.
Posted by MP on October 24, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hutto and Ketner - both ultra-liberals who believe in unlimited abortions and tax and spend government supporting those who are too lazy and worthless to work. Two peas in a pod.
Posted by kontact on October 24, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, so what he shot at 2 uniformed SCE&G employees.He may have thought they were trying to break in the house. Wait a minute, he shot at 2 UNIFORMED employees of SCE&G AFTER a confrontation?? WOW!! Talk about the good ole boy system at work. Gotta love politicians , they ususally get a free past or two everytime.
Posted by eyeinthesky on October 24, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
kontact or is it KOMRADE... give it a rest, you liberals are all alike...
A free PAST... what about the future???
Posted by mkris on October 24, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How come his children aren't campaigning with him?
Posted by MR_PRETTY on October 24, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LMS, I BELIEVE THIS COUNTRY IS ALREADY CHANGING. One white dude locked up for scamming people out of their life savings (al parish) and another white man breaks the law and gets set free by a friend who was a dirty cop. 1 for 1. maybe i can be president of the USA! AS A BLACK MAN.
Posted by kontact on October 24, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeinadirthole-Are you kidding me? HE SHOT AT TWO UNIFORMED EMPLOYEES OF SCR&G AFTER-need I repeat-After a confrontation with them. Now im not a legal scholar but I do have some common sense. What are the odds of gun accidentally going off after that confrontation? slim to none. And the officers came and arrested him so they had probale cause to charge him. Later the solicitor's office chose to drop he charges. Wow, doesnt take a rocket scientist!!
Posted by blaze on October 24, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hoisington (RIP) was very good friends with Scarborough's 2nd lawyer Bart Daniel.
John Graham was his first lawyer and he wanted "to teach SCE&G a lesson". I guess he showed them.
Posted by blaze on October 24, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And John Graham Altman should know it is against the law to fire a pistol into your porch if you live in the City of Charleston.
But of course no one has ever mistaken him for Judge Learned Hand.
Posted by yird on October 24, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ballachulish:I live in a $300k(Paid For) home so unlike yourself I'm not all that familiar with trailer parks.
Posted by MR_PRETTY on October 24, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have two questions, can this scarbutt dude be picked up today and put back in jail for this crime? and can that dirty cop/solicitor be brought up on charges today for misusing his authority? you know what folks, i sometimes get aggrevaited with my apathetic african brothers and sisters but i can truly say today that "we the people" all of us,Americans, are the sorriest screwed up displaced Americans that there ever was. We will stand for any poop that these people who are supposed to working on our "WE THE PEOPLE", behalf. Once they get into office they always give us their butts to kiss, and what do we do kiss it.Now a days we not only kiss it we open it up and kiss it! I guess I'm just sick of weak people in general. you all disgust me! in the old days back when white people "I'm not talking about you white people of today, I'm talking bout your forefathers. Back then they stood up for what was white$#% (I mean right) this kind of shiggady would have never happened. The towns people would have put this scarbutt chump back in jail where he belongs and they would have ran that dirty cop out of town. The best example i can give is from the other night when the commitee was asking those crooks about all the faulty loans and stuff, heres what the pakastanian banker said or wrote sometimes ago, in the letter the scumbag said " WE HAD BETTER GET FILTHY RICH NOW, BEFORE THIS ALL COMES CRUMBLING DOWN" people, I have not gotten over that yet. We the people have to folk up $700 billion dollars to bail these same people out of their own jam and these few men still get to walk away with $millions and millions of dollars. when i heard this on the news i looked out my window to see if all the towns people where gathering to go get these scum bags, but as ussual you all stayed in your freakin warm cozy house and ate their crap again. its no wonder other countries think we are weak!we the people should go ourselves and get these people and bring them to our "the people" justice!!!!!!!!!!!!you neophite white folks are not half the MEN your fore fathers were!!!!
Posted by bagballa on October 24, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW, so were they trespassing? I don't care if its the CIA respect peoples property, I can imagine situations where I may have fired too. I know alot of yall would probably run or casually investigate but thats the difference between a survivor and victim. What if they just had on SCE&G uniforms but were really home invaders? Crazy times we live in, you just never know.
It's good we have Reps that support gun ownership.
....But why does he look like Ebenezer Scrooge?
Posted by kontact on October 24, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BAGBALL-HE had already conversated with them and knew they were SCE&G employees. Thats why he was wrong not for protecting his home.
Posted by MR_PRETTY on October 24, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
serialpunk, just like a redneck, always a serial something, serial killer, serial rappist, serial etc......are you a confererate too BOY? scary redneck. maybe thats why your women says she prefers tall dark and handsome. you rednecks of today are losers and evryone knows. thats why immigrants come in anytime they want too. "say amigo" yes pappi, lets go to america ioda, "but pappi we may get caught crossing the border and the americans will get mad at us", don't worry about those blanco gringos they a bunch of cowards and losers. bumados. o.k pappi,"american blancos not strong no more? "hell no the noirs/blacks are now ruling that country now. "what pappi" the blacks are now ruling, they gave up a whole country that their fore fathers stole from the natives? "yes padra. o.k lets go hummenvoy!!!!!! get your house in order red neck!!lol lol lol lol
Posted by yird on October 24, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can anyone understand what this imbecile MR_PRETTY is writing?
Egyptian hieroglyphics would be easier to decipher.
Posted by wobs on October 24, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MR_PRETTY - I don't think they can bring the Solicitor up on charges since he is no longer alive. You need to check your facts before you rant on and on. GEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by woodrob12 on October 24, 2008 at 5:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Scarborough hadn't cheated on his wife (good ol' family values), he wouldn't have been living with his parents and none of this mess would have happened.
Seems like this guy is dangerous with a piece of any kind.
Posted by summervillerepub on October 24, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this ad is over the top.
Posted by kontact on October 24, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why am I beginning to think that Mrpretty is actually a 45 year old white dude from hollywood??
Posted by jammer007 on October 25, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why not vote for him ???? We could vote Obama in at the same time !!! Really HOSE ourselves.