Attorney Says Milton High Teacher's Parkinson's Behind Assault Charges

One of Dale Snyder's underage female students told police that the longtime Milton High School chemistry teacher and track coach kissed her and tried to hold her hand after the school's graduation ceremony earlier this month.

Snyder, 64 of Abington, pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent assault and battery on a child over the age of 14, and two counts of assault and battery in Quincy District Court Monday morning.

His attorney, Thomas Lawton, said he would post $10,000 bail and be released later in the day under the condition that he stay away from the victim, the high school and unsupervised visits with children under 18.

Snyder was arrested Friday after the 16-year-old victim told police that Snyder had touched her inappropriately on Sunday, June 2 while she was helping Snyder break down chairs and other equipment after MHS graduation.

The student returned with Snyder to his classroom and office that day, where he sat across from her and put his hands on hers, according to the district attorney's office.

Snyder then allegedly tried to kiss the girl. She turned away and he kissed her cheek, and then proceeded to kiss her on the mouth. The victim did not want to make the situation more uncomfortable, according to the police account, and so she then accepted a pre-arranged ride home with Sndyer.

In the car, Snyder allegedly tried repeatedly to hold her hand, but she rebuffed him and said it was weird. He then stopped.

The graduation day incident was the culmination of weeks of odd behavior. Two weeks prior, for instance, the victim told police that Snyder had given her a leather beaded bracelet. On another occassion had followed her home to talk to her in her yard and had also given her his business card with cell phone number.

Lawton said he will pursue a medical defense for Synder, who was diagnosed two years ago with Parkinson's disease. He is scheduled to retire June 24 after teaching at MHS for 27 years.

Another of Snyder's student's parents, Deana Martin, said outside Quincy Court Monday that Snyder should never have come back this year to teach. She said her son, a sophomore, noticed Snyder's sometimes erratic behavior and grading decisions.

"I honestly believe he came back to help the school out of a tough situation with a missing chemistry teacher," Martin said. "That was the sense I got from conversations I had with the guidance department – was that, "He's retiring at the end of the year, just cope with it."

Snyder will return to court in August for a pre-trial hearing. Lawton said that although he has researched Parkinson's and its medication's effects, including heightened libido and lack of self control, he does not admit to the accusations.

"This is an unfortunate case and we're trying to do everything we can to resolve it," Lawton said.