MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — (Warning: Story contains graphic details or images)
A South Carolina judge has placed a temporary injunction against a coastal home. The property belongs to a white couple accused of burning a cross near a home owned by a Black couple from Charlotte, done in an act of apparent racial harassment.
On Thursday, Horry County Judge William H. Seals Jr. granted a motion to place the Myrtle Beach home of Worden Butler and Alexia Hartnett under a temporary injunction, meaning they cannot occupy it for the time being. Both are accused of terrorizing Shawn and Monica Williams, a Charlotte couple who bought a home next door to act as the Williams' retirement home.
The Williamses previously told WCNC Charlotte Butler and Hartnett had tormented them ever since. The Williamses, who are Black, said they were called the n-word repeatedly, faced threats of violence, and were told to leave the neighborhood by their neighbors next door. The burning of the cross during Thanksgiving weekend in 2023 was the final straw for them. They called the police, and both Butler and Hartnett were charged with second-degree harassment. They did make bail the next day.
As the Williamses await trial, the case has garnered widespread scrutiny. A federal investigation was launched and the Williamses have seen support from local branches of the NAACP and other groups.
In late January 2024, the office of the 15th Circuit solicitor - which serves Horry County - requested the injunction against Butler and Hartnett. The injunction declares the home a nuisance, closing it down and forcing the couple out for one year.
"We feel really relieved that this is somewhat over," Shawn Williams told WCNC Charlotte on Thursday. "However, there's still a lot of work to do as far as eradicating hate."
"I personally have labeled it as a reset button," Monica Williams said, "so that everybody can see how we can move forward from here. This fight is not over. There's still other things that are pending and pressing, and the whole message we wanted to give was justice and to be fair, and to just let people live in peace and harmony in their neighborhoods."
Alexia Hartnett was also arrested again earlier in March, charged with indecent exposure.