‘Hammer- and sword-wielding’ Lowcountry woman is wanted after skipping her trial date

A 25-year-old Charleston-area woman was convicted of felony domestic violence in Charleston County court on Tuesday when she didn’t show up, according to a 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office news release.

Katherine Seabrook, a “hammer- and sword-wielding West Ashley woman,” was found guilty of criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature by a jury after a two-day trial, according to the Solicitor’s Office.

On May 31, 2015, Seabrook called Charleston Police Department officers to the Palms Apartments home she shared with her estranged boyfriend, according to the release. The two were locked in an argument that escalated to Seabrook destroying the man’s things. She also attacked him with a spiked war-hammer and a Japanese Katana sword that both belonged to the victim, but he was able to avoid her blows and escaped unharmed.

Seabrook threatened to lie to police and “ruin” the victim’s life with accusations of abuse, according to the Solicitor’s Office. She reportedly “struck herself in the face multiple times to shore up her false accusation.”

The victim was able to make an audio recording during the ordeal, according to the release. “I am going to lie on you. I am,” she was heard saying in the recording in court.

“Though most of our domestic violence victims are women, men can be attacked and victimized, as well,” Solicitor Scarlett A. Wilson said. “It is important for any victim of abuse to work with law enforcement and with us so that we can investigate and prosecute domestic abusers.”

The judge issued a bench warrant for Seabrook’s arrest at the end of the trial. She will be sentenced when she is caught and appears in court.

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 8:18 PM with the headline "‘Hammer- and sword-wielding’ Lowcountry woman is wanted after skipping her trial date."