Rock Hill judge’s family threatened in case of man jailed on weapons, unsafe shooting charges

The victims in a June 7 incident in Rock Hill where a man screamed to neighbors “they had not seen crazy yet” are the son, daughter-in-law and grandson of Rock Hill Judge Ray Long, court testimony showed Thursday.

Michael Funderburk, 58, is charged with unsafe use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as well as DUI and open container after Funderburk allegedly threatened Long’s son, according to testimony in court. Funderburk has been in jail since he was arrested June 7 after a scuffle with deputies after they were called by Long’s daughter-in-law and Judge Long.

Funderburk has a conviction for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature which prevents him from legally carrying a gun. According to testimony during Thursday’s bond hearing, Funderburk fired a gun repeatedly June 6 and June 7.

Judge Long – who regularly sets bonds for cases in Rock Hill municipal court – told visiting Circuit Court Judge Roger Couch of Spartanburg the shots could be heard a mile away at his home, and that even though no one was injured, the incident could have ended much worse. Long asked for bond to be denied because his family is scared for their safety. If there is bond, Long asked that severe and strict conditions be put in place.

Couch declined to set bond until Funderburk sees a mental health professional about his condition.

This story was originally published June 25, 2015 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Rock Hill judge’s family threatened in case of man jailed on weapons, unsafe shooting charges."