Chris Stanback Murder: From a Riot to a Whimper

Eddie Frank Chandler has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1994 murder of teenager Christopher Stanback (pictured). Almost two decades ago, Chris' death caused a near riot situation:

The Christopher Stanback Murder

Now in the summer of 2012, Chandler's plea agreement calls for a mere sentence of 15 years, a sentence that will likely entail Correctional Incentive Time and a possible release in five years. Perhaps the saddest part, next to the death of a young man, is that many others were presumed guilty of a crime of which they knew nothing.

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Our sympathies to the family and friends of Beth Childers. Several have emailed us today concerning a woman who made a difference in her community. We hope to have more later in a celebration of her life.



Shoalanda

Jobs for America? State Dems May Now Be Out of Luck

If Alabama Democrats are hoping to scupper the new laws concerning illegal immigrants scheduled to take effect September 1st, they will receive no support from US Rep. Mo Brooks. In a prepared statement he today announced:

...he has introduced new legislation, the Jobs for Americans Act of 2011. The Jobs for Americans Act removes federal barriers to states who undertake their own legal measures to control illegal immigration.

Congressman Brooks said, “Illegal immigration in our country is a serious problem. Illegal aliens suppress the wages of American blue collar workers, hold millions of American jobs, and drain local and state governments of critical resources.

“The Jobs for Americans Act of 2011 helps states like Alabama, Georgia, and Arizona, who are addressing the illegal alien issue because the federal government has failed to do so. The act ensures that the federal government will appreciate, not punish, states that do the hard work of enforcing our laws.

“Specifically, this bill provides that state and local governments may help the federal government by passing laws that identify illegal aliens, deter illegal aliens from entering the United States, apprehend illegal aliens, or encourage or otherwise cause illegal aliens to leave the United States. In other words, the federal government would give state and local governments the blessing to help the federal government do its job.

"While the Jobs for Americans Act of 2011 supports state efforts to curb illegal immigration, it does not alter the federal government’s roll. The federal government would still retain control over determining who qualifies as an illegal alien."

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We recently blogged of Eddie Frank Chandler's attempt to obtain youthful offender status in his upcoming murder trial. We speculated it could be the difference between three years for a youthful offender conviction and perhaps 30 if convicted as an adult. D.K. asked that we elaborate that Chandler, if convicted of Felony Murder, could be eligible for parole in as little as ten years.

This is certainly the case, and if not granted parole after that time, Chandler would again be considered in five more years. That does not mean he would be granted parole at any time, but for such crimes 30 years seems to be the rule of thumb. Obviously, if given a life sentence he could conceivably never be granted parole. With this, as many things in life, it very often comes down to whom you or your family know...or perhaps the whims of whoever may be in the office of District Attorney at the time.

Related posts:

Three Years or Thirty?

The Killer, the D.A., & the Parole

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Alabama is implementing new and supposedly improved restrictions for sex offenders. Those bearing the title of "sexual predator" will face dramatically increased restrictions. What constitutes a sexual predator? According to Ohio standards, former Sheffield resident Derek Logue has earned that distinction. Perhaps these proposed, and now adopted, tighter rules were the reason this self-proclaimed sex offender activist left Sheffield? It's a pity...an ankle bracelet would have so improved his social life.



Shoalanda

Eddie Frank Chandler: Three Years or Thirty?

Eddie Frank Chandler was 17 when he allegedly murdered Chris Stanback. Because of his age when the crime was committed, he cannot be charged with and tried for capital murder. He is currently being charged with felony murder, a crime that could bring a life sentence with the chance of parole. If convicted, Chandler would at some point be considered and granted parole, but one could expect him to serve as much as 30 years before such a parole would be offered.

What if Chandler should be granted youthful offender status? He would then serve three years. That is what Chandler's attorney is now requesting. We doubt that Judge Gil Self will grant Chandler's request, but if he should, the sentence could be ordered to run concurrently with any conviction for theft that may await Chandler. In other words, if Eddie Frank Chandler did kill Chris Stanback, he could in effect serve no extra time for this heinous murder.

We fervently hope Judge Self will refuse Chandler's request for youthful offender status. The Stanback family has waited long enough for justice in Chris' death.

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If you're going to the Handy Parade tonight, be sure to give a shout out to the Kudzu Queens. This wonderful group of women do much good for the area as well as offering some much needed humor.

Shoalanda

Eddie Chandler Claims Innocence/Willie Lyons Resigns

As predicted, Eddie Frank Chandler made his first court appearance yesterday. What was not predicted was his avowal of innocence. Arrest? Yes. Confession? Apparently not...

What are the odds Chandler acted alone in the 1994 murder of Chris Stanback? This is what one reader wrote:

Ok.....what I am trying to figure out is how did one young boy do all of that to someone alone? I was supposed to meet Chris the day he disappeared and I called his home and Rudy told me he left in a car with some white guys and he would be right back......what happened to all that info because it sure is different now.

As stated before, the trial may provide more twists than a Patricia Cornwell novel.

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According to an article in The Connection, Community Corrections Director Willie Lyons has resigned from the position he assumed in 2009.

Related post: Lauderdale County Work Release

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Any, ahem, matchbook collectors out there? Here's one from D. B. Reid's Texaco in Tuscumbia: Link



Shoalanda

Two Bombshells? Maybe it is the Rapture...

Okay, we need to pull our tongue out of our cheek and be serious. Friday offered two major bombshells--one in Lauderdale County and one in Colbert County. First we'll tackle the Lauderdale announcement of an indictment in the 1994 slaying of Christopher Stanback.

We first mentioned the rumored confession in Chris' murder on March 30, or roughly 50 days ago. Why the delay in the announcement? Obviously Lauderdale District Attorney Chris Connolly could not be certain an indictment would be forthcoming. Were there other reasons? We have no answer to this question, but since Eddie Frank Chandler was the only suspect indicted, we seriously doubt that others will be charged in this case.

The trial, assuming Chandler doesn't plead, will be the stuff of which novels are written. Let's hope it brings closure to the Stanback family.

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Did you read this story in The Connection?

COLBERT COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD UPHOLDS FIRING OF CONTROL OFFICER TAMMY GREEN

If these allegations prove to be true, a major investigation and quite probably legal proceedings would be in order. Why do so many, from presidents to governors to judges to sheriffs to dog catchers fail to realize that our tax dollars are not their personal bankroll to support or employ their current romantic flings? We work hard for our money, and most of us are happy to pay taxes to support animal welfare...that's welfare, not lust.



Shoalanda