NEW: South Carolina convict indicted for murder of Big Stone Gap policeman

A special convened grand jury has indicted South Carolina convict Michael White on 13 charges related to the slaying of a Big Stone Gap officer.

White will be arraigned for aggravated murder and 12 weapon and drug-related charges in Circuit Court a week after prosecutors said he shot 29-year-old Michael Chandler who was conducting a welfare check near a vacant home on Orr Street. He was taken into custody that evening at a Kingsport motel.

Chandler died that evening at a Tri-Cities hospital. During the policeman’s memorial service, Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Slemp promised that Chandler’s killer would be brought to justice.

White’s charges as reported by the Virginia State Police include:

Aggravated murder of a police officer (18.2-31),
2nd degree murder (18.2-33),
One felony count of shooting in the commission of murder (18.2-53),
One felony count of use of a firearm in the commission of committing aggravated murder,
One felony count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,
One felony count of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon,
One felony count of reckless handling of a firearm with serious injury (18.2-56.1),
One felony of discharging a firearm in a public place (18.2-280),
One felony count of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance with the intent to distribute,
One felony count of possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance,
One felony count of shooting in commission of possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance,
One misdemeanor count of brandishing a firearm
One misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct

(IMAGE: Southwest Virginia Regional Jail)