Former Newberry City Commission Candidate Faces Year in Jail for Battery, Remains Out on Pretrial Release
On March 29, the League of Women Voters hosted a candidate forum at Newberry City Hall for the April 2026 Newberry City Commission election. Multiple candidates and several citizens attended the event, including Brandy Lee Oldman, 41, who was running for Seat 1.
Following the candidate forum, Oldman got into an argument with an attendee of the event (the victim) outside of the building.
“Oldman did knowingly and willingly commit battery by slapping a phone being held by [the victim],” reported Deputy Zachary Means.
The video clearly shows Oldman getting into an argument with the victim and advising “Imma catch a fucking charge today” seconds before evidently catching the battery charge.
Video of Battery Incident
The incident was witnessed by another woman who reportedly “intervened to prevent the altercation from escalating further.” The video also shows an individual making a half-hearted attempt to hold Oldman back seconds before the battery.
Means indicated that Oldman was not arrested due to a lack of criminal history and “compliance on scene.”
In April 2026, Oldman lost the election.
On June 18, Assistant State Attorney Luke Edney formally charged Oldman with a count of battery, a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Oldman was not arrested and instead issued a summons which she responded to.
Court records indicate that Oldman appeared for her arraignment on August 5. She had a pretrial conference on September 8 but she waived her appearance, court records show. It’s unclear if she has any significant pretrial release conditions.
Oldman’s next pretrial conference is set for October 6 at 1:30 p.m. but she likely won’t be required to show up. She is represented by Assistant Public Defender Joseph Oliva.
Stacy Scott, lead public defender, told GnvInfo that she and her office do not have comment at this time.
Judge Adam Lee is presiding over the case.
