You’ve probably seen the video. It’s one of those raw, shaky clips that makes your stomach drop the second the glass shatters. A man walks up to a car, looks the driver dead in the eye, and swings a telescopic baton with terrifying precision. That man was 67-year-old Dennis James Tissington, and the fallout from that afternoon in Grande Prairie, Alberta, remains a case study in how a private dispute can explode into a national headline.
When news broke that Dennis James Tissington charged with mischief following the confrontation, the internet did what it does best: it picked sides. But like most things that go viral, the 30-second clip didn't tell the whole story.
The Incident That Went Everywhere
It was a Saturday in August 2016. Damian Dallyn was sitting in his car, phone recording, when Tissington approached him. The dialogue was short and chilling. Tissington warned Dallyn he’d end up in the hospital if he didn't leave. Dallyn pointed out the weapon. Tissington’s response? "Yes I can, 'cause I have one."
Then came the impact.
Two windows were smashed out in seconds. Dallyn later described the sensation of "spitting glass" out of his mouth as he scrambled to drive away. It was a violent, visceral moment that immediately prompted the Grande Prairie RCMP to step in.
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Why was Dennis James Tissington charged?
Initially, the legal system focused on the most obvious physical damage. The RCMP confirmed that Tissington was facing a charge of mischief under $5,000. To the casual observer, this felt light. Dallyn himself argued for assault or weapons charges, citing the cuts on his face and forehead from the flying shards of glass.
Legal experts often point out that in Canada, the specific charge of "mischief" covers the willful destruction of property. While it sounds minor—like something a teenager does with a spray can—it carries real weight when it involves a weapon and a person sitting just inches from the point of impact.
The Story Behind the Baton
Honestly, the "why" is where this story gets messy. This wasn't a random act of road rage. It was the boiling point of a long-standing financial dispute involving a landscaping job.
Dallyn claimed he was there to have a "civil conversation" with Tissington’s stepson, Tyler Stojan, over money paid for concrete work that allegedly never got finished. On the flip side, the family’s version of events—dubbed "The Other Side" in a Facebook post—painted a picture of harassment. They claimed Dallyn had been showing up repeatedly, making threats, and causing the family to fear for their safety, especially with young children in the house.
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- Dallyn’s Perspective: He wanted his money back or the work finished. He felt he was on a public road and had every right to be there.
- The Tissington/Stojan Perspective: They felt besieged. They viewed Dallyn's presence as an escalation of a 2014 dispute that had already turned toxic.
It’s a classic "he said, she said" that ended with a baton through a window.
The Legal Aftermath and Public Reaction
When a video goes viral, the court of public opinion moves much faster than the actual court system. Tissington’s face was everywhere. The company he worked for—a home-building firm in the area—found itself in the crosshairs of online backlash.
By the time the court date in October rolled around, the conversation had shifted from the incident itself to the broader issue of vigilante justice. Is it ever okay to take a weapon to a car window, even if you feel your family is being harassed? The law, quite clearly, says no.
Key details of the case:
- The Weapon: A telescopic baton is often considered a prohibited weapon depending on how it's used and the context of the situation.
- The Injuries: Dallyn reported multiple small lacerations from the tempered glass.
- The Cooperation: Stojan noted that Tissington stayed at the scene, waited for the RCMP, and cooperated fully with the investigation.
Understanding the "Mischief" Charge
A lot of people hear the word "mischief" and think it's a slap on the wrist. In the Canadian Criminal Code, mischief is a versatile charge. It can be a summary offense (less serious) or an indictable offense (more serious). Because Dennis James Tissington charged under this section, it meant the Crown had to prove he willfully destroyed or damaged property.
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The fact that it was caught on camera made the "willful" part pretty easy to prove. However, the nuance of the dispute—the alleged harassment leading up to the moment—is often what defense lawyers use to argue for leniency or a conditional discharge.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Case
The biggest misconception is that this was a random attack. It wasn't. It was personal. It was the result of years of friction. Does that excuse the violence? No. But it explains why a 67-year-old man felt the need to walk out of a house with a weapon.
Another mistake is assuming the case ended the day the video stopped trending. Legal battles over defamation and the original landscaping contract continued to simmer in the background long after the glass was swept off the pavement.
Actionable Insights: What to Do in a Confrontation
If you ever find yourself in a situation where a dispute is escalating toward violence, there are specific steps you should take to protect yourself legally and physically.
- Record Everything, But Stay Safe: Dallyn’s choice to record was the only reason the Dennis James Tissington charged news reached the level it did. However, if recording makes the other person more violent, your priority is to roll up the window and drive to a safe location (like a police station).
- Don't Block Entrances: If you are the one seeking a "civil conversation," doing it on someone’s driveway or right in front of their house can be legally interpreted as trespassing or harassment, which complicates your standing if things go south.
- Check Local Laws on "Mischief": If someone damages your property during a fight, ensure you document the cost of repairs immediately. The difference between "mischief under $5,000" and "mischief over $5,000" is significant in terms of sentencing.
- Involve Authorities Early: If a civil dispute (like a contractor issue) is turning into a series of heated confrontations, start a paper trail with the police before someone picks up a baton.
The case of Dennis James Tissington serves as a stark reminder: the camera is always watching, and a few seconds of lost temper can lead to a lifetime of digital infamy and a criminal record. Keep the disputes in the courtroom, not on the curb.