28 October 2011

TRUE and HONEST artist's depiction.

On 28 October 2011 - a date which will live in infamy - The GAMe PLACe was suddenly and deliberately attacked by forces of the City of CWCville.

On that fateful Friday evening, around 5:20 p.m.^[1], Chris and Barbara visited the GAMe PLACe and had an altercation with its manager, Michael Snyder. Chris took several photos of Michael on that day, and uploaded them to the CWCki in November. A bit of a delay, but it turns out, he and Barb had been arrested and jailed for various offenses (trespassing, assault, and hit & run). Now both have been charged with a Class 5 Felony, which implies "a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than 10 years, and ... a fine of not more than $2,500."^[2]

Both Chris and Barb were bonded out on 29 October^[3]^[4], with Chris's initial hearing being a week later than Barb's - possibly owing to the extra charge against him. It may also allow for additional information to be gathered about on his record of dealings with Michael Snyder and the GAMe PLACe, and also to consider any medical grounds that may affect the outcome of any court proceedings against Chris. The Chandlers will be represented in court by Rob Bell, a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

This is the first major event that has come to light since the death of Bob Chandler on 6 September 2011.

The charges

Below are the charges brought against both Barbara and Chris, along with details and court dates based on the details from the General District Court Online Case Information System. At present we do not have a full account of what happened during the incident and under what circumstances the charges were brought against the pair. However, based on at least one previous incident in June 2010, we can assume a rough outline of events.

Barbara's

FAIL STOP ACCIDENT > $1000 FEL (§ 46.2-894. Duty of driver to stop, etc., in event of accident involving injury or death or damage to attended property; penalty.^[5])
- Class 5 Felony charge - Failing to stop after an accident where the damage exceeds $1,000 in value, thought to be vehicular damage on the grounds of The GAMe PLACe parking lot.
ASSLT: ON LAW ENF/DOC PERSON (§ 18.2-57. Assault and battery.^[6])
- Class 6 Felony charge - Assaulting a law enforcement official. It's likely that this occurred when Barb attempted to prevent the police from arresting Chris.

Court dates

31 October 2011 - Appeared in court to be formally charged.
15 December 2011 - 1:00pm - Judge Robert Downer Jr. granted a continuance for both Chris and Barb's charges.
5 January 2012 - 1:00pm - Yet another continuance.
5 April 2012 - 1:00pm - Another hearing

Chris's

FAIL STOP ACCIDENT > $1000 FEL (§ 46.2-894. Duty of driver to stop, etc., in event of accident involving injury or death or damage to attended property; penalty.^[5])
- Class 5 Felony charge - Failing to stop after an accident where the damage exceeds $1,000 in value, thought to be vehicular damage on the grounds of The GAMe PLACe parking lot.
ASSAULT: (MISDEMEANOR) (§ 18.2-57. Assault and battery.^[6])
- Class 1 Misdemeanor charge - Attempted or actual assault against another person, perhaps Snyder.
TRESPASS AFTER FORBIDDEN (§ 18.2-119. Trespass after having been forbidden to do so; penalties.^[7])
- Class 1 Misdemeanor charge - Trespassing on land or within an area from which the offender is forbidden, no doubt due to setting foot in The GAMe PLACe.

Court dates

7 November 2011 - Appeared in court to be formally charged.
15 December 2011 - 1:00pm - Judge Robert Downer Jr. granted a continuance (postponement) for both Chris and Barb's charges.
5 January 2012 - 1:00pm - Yet another continuance.
5 April 2012 - 1:00pm - Another hearing

Civil suit

Michael Snyder also filled a civil suit against both Chris and Barb on 1 November 2011, 4 days after the incident. The reason for the lawsuit and what damages are being sought is currently unknown besides that it is related to the 28 October event. Barb attended a second hearing on 14 November, a third took place on 15 December, at the same time as her criminal case hearing. Barb must attend a fourth hearing on 5 January at 1:00 PM.

Chris' case at one point read 'Other Judgement', however, it appears to have been open again. Chris is due to appear in court on 5 January at 2:15 PM, shortly after his criminal hearing.

Before the court hearing, Michael Snyder requested and received a Preliminary Protective Order against both Chris and Barbara. This order is similar to a restraining order, and prohibits Chris or Barb from contacting Michael or engaging in any threatening behavior towards him before the hearing. The order lasts for 15 days.^[8]

Aftermath

Chris's only chance.

On 4 November, soon after being bailed out of jail, Chris uploaded the pictures he took of Michael Snyder on the 28th to the CWCki, plastering them on the front page as well as Michael's own article, with Chris presumably doing it as a response to the events at The GAMe PLACe.^[9] In the respective image descriptions, Chris claimed that Snyder molests children and taunted him for his obesity.