Couple forced out of house after burning cross near Black neighbors. When will it start?
The house of a couple accused of burning a cross outside their Black neighbors’ home has been declared a public nuisance, meaning the couple will have to leave, according to Tonya Root, a spokesperson for the Horry County Solicitor’s Office.
The Conway house will be required to be vacant effective immediately, Root said. Jimmy Richardson, the 15th Circuit Solicitor, filed a housing injunction in January. A decision was made by Judge William Seals after a nearly three hour long hearing on Wednesday.
“We feel a sense of relief,” said Shawn Williams, the victim of the cross burning. “We want to savor this win.”
Williams said he feels better but doesn’t feel entirely safe returning to his Corbett Drive home.
In November, Worden Butler and Alexis Hartnett were arrested after allegedly burning a cross along their Black neighbor’s privacy fence. They were charged with harassment and Hartnett also has an assault charge.
During the hearing on Wednesday, an Horry County Police Capt. Danny Furr said his department wanted to see the house closed down. Furr said there have been many calls made to the house and Butler and Hartnett use a lot of police resources.
James Battle, representing the Solicitor’s Office, said at a minimum, they want police to secure the property by placing barriers on the doors and windows.
Neighbors have also told The Sun News that Hartnett and Butler are difficult to deal with. Monica Williams, the wife of Shawn Williams and next door neighbor, said while trying to speak with Butler about the issues they had, Hartnett ran up and began calling her racial slurs.
Janet Butler, Worden Butler’s mother and property owner of 1400 Corbett Drive, testified she did not want her son kicked out of the house. She said him living there is better than having him live on the streets. She also thinks neighbors have provoked Worden Butler and Hartnett before.
This story was originally published March 21, 2024 at 2:45 PM.
