The lawyer representing Christine Weston Chandler, the YouTube star also known as Chris Chan online, says it is important "not believe everything they learn on the internet" about his client and her case.
Chandler was arrested on Sunday, August 1 and charged with one count of incest after the Green County Sheriff's Office received information about alleged "sex crimes against a family member, who resides in the Ruckersville area."
In a statement issued to Newsweek, Chandler's attorney, David L Heilberg said much of the information being put out online in relation to the case needed to be "filtered by skepticism" especially as his client is "legally disabled with mental health issues."
"Ms. Chandler's frequent and sometimes over-the-top presence on the internet is partly a product of mental health issues causing misguided attention seeking and often provocative engagement with others," Heilberg said.
"Like almost anything on the internet, it is difficult to determine what is true. These principles hold no matter if you are a supporter, a legitimate journalist, or a trolling hater."
Heilberg also indicated that online trolls had been in touch with him and trying to get information about Chandler's case. He said "legitimate inquiries from journalists, supporters, and nuisance trollers will be handled the same way."
Chandler is currently being held at the Central Virginia regional jail without bond and is next due in court on September 16.
In a hearing held to determine whether she would be granted bond, the 39-year-old reportedly stamped her feet after a request to gather personal belongings was rejected.
Chandler's lawyer criticized the lack of support for his client in light of her well documented mental health issues.
"The criminal justice system is a poor vehicle to help people with mental health issues," he told Newsweek.
"There is also a critical shortage of mental health treatment facilities in Virginia. Providing
somebody with the help that they need is complicated and will take time."
Heilberg added that the "volume of misinformation" found on the internet about Chandler and the case online made it a "poor place to learn the truth."
"There are few people with actual personal knowledge about what happened. Just because you heard or read something does not make it true."
Something of an internet celebrity, Chandler is best known for her web comic crossover character Sonichu and has over 50,000 subscribers on YouTube and nearly 60,000 on Twitter.
If found guilty of incest, she could face anywhere between one and 10 years in prison as well as a fine of up to $2,500 under Virginia state law.
Heilberg has urged anyone "with actual personal knowledge about the people involved and the facts of what happened" to contact the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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