An Oklahoma state representative won’t spend any time in jail after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges, but he did tender his resignation from the state House.
Ty Burns waited two days after his guilty plea to misdemeanor charges to tender his resignation, the Oklahoma Voice reported. Calls for his resignation came from Gov. Kevin Stitt and other elected officials.
Court documents reveal that Burns ran a vehicle off the road that was carrying his 16-year-old daughter as a passenger, resulting in two misdemeanor assault charges, and tried to gouge his wife’s eye out with his finger last year, resulting in a misdemeanor domestic abuse charge.
He pleaded guilty on Thursday and was given a one year suspended sentence and ordered to complete a 52-week batterer’s intervention program.
Burns didn’t resign effective immediately, however, saying in his letter to Stitt that he would remain until a special election can be called. He put a date of October 1 for his resignation in the letter and blamed his actions on post traumatic stress disorder.
“It is in the best interest of the people I serve in House District 35 and, most importantly, my family to step down from my position,” Burns, 46, wrote. “I take full responsibility for my actions and am going to counseling with my family. Although not an excuse for my actions, I am receiving intensive treatment for issues from military service that I have long ignored as a problem.”
“I would like to thank my fellow House colleagues who have prayed and supported me and my family during this incredibly difficult time,” Burns’ letter said.
“Domestic violence leaves lasting scars on families and it can’t be minimized or overlooked,” Stitt said in response to Burns’ letter, The Oklahoman reported. “Rep. Burns’ decision to step down is the right one for his family, constituents, and the Legislature.”
The case against Burns involved incidents that took place months ago, but they were kept secret until his guilty plea on Thursday.
According to KFOR, the incident involving his teenage daughter took place in April and began with an argument after Burns accused his wife of allowing the girl to drink alcohol. Court records show he became verbally abusive and shoved his wife, who told a female relative in the home at the time to take the kids and leave.
The relative brought the 16-year-old girl out to her van, but Burns followed and began shaking and pushing the vehicle, shouting, “Get the h*** out of here! I hate you! You are the cause of all these problems!”
The relative drove away, but Burns followed in his truck and forced the van into a ditch. Both the daughter and the relative were injured. In a text to a sibling, the daughter wrote, “Dad’s f****** crazy he just ran us off the road.”
The incident in which he tried to gouge out his wife’s eye took place last November when he became angry she had made plans with friends. His actions broke a blood vessel in her eye.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation investigated the incidents and passed its finding to Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who said in a statement that “There was no legitimate justification for a felony charge in this case under current Oklahoma law.”
Drummond said if Burns does it again, he could be charged with a felony.
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, who did not call for Burns’ resignation after his guilty plea, released Burns’ letter after Burns’ resignation and said he shared the disgraced lawmaker’s “belief that it is best for him and his family to focus on his treatment and rehabilitation at this time.”
“Domestic violence of any kind cannot and will not be tolerated by the House of Representatives,” Hilbert said.
Oklahoma law does not require elected state officials to resign if convicted of a misdemeanor, although it does require suspension in the case of a felony conviction.
Burns was elected in 2018 to represent House District 35 and was a key supporter of Oklahoma Republicans’ attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
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[Featured image: Ty Burns/Oklahoma State Legislature]
