A Virginia man ties his wife to a chair to reportedly watch football, and now he’s facing a serious charge. Terry Ward, 64, was arrested after police said he taped his wife to a chair in their basement so he could watch the game without distractions.
According to WFLA, officers got a call on October 11 around 11:30 p.m. The call was about a domestic disturbance at a home in Richmond, Virginia. When officers arrived, they first spoke with Ward’s wife. She told them her husband had tied her to a chair in their basement.
She also said she was stuck in that chair for 30 to 45 minutes. Officers then looked her over. Notably, they saw marks and tape residue on her arms. In the criminal complaint, an officer wrote, “Terry stated that he did indeed tie his wife…to a chair and place her down in the basement.”
Why the Man Who Tied His Wife to a Chair Faces an Abduction Charge
In Virginia, abduction with no other specific penalty is punished as a Class 5 felony. A Class 5 felony can carry up to 10 years in jail, a $2,500 fine, or both.
The case went viral on social media, leading to debates about domestic violence and how some felt that it should be taken more seriously.
What Happens Next for the Man Accused of Tying His Wife to a Chair
No additional details were released publicly, but he is scheduled to appear in Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on November 10.