San Diego, California sex offender John Albert Gardner plead guilty to killing two girls and attempting to rape another. He will be sentenced to life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
I believe that Gardner was instrumental in helping police recover the body of one of his victims. For this, the prosecution agreed to spare his life and not seek the death penalty for his crimes.
Gardner is set to be sentenced on June 1, of this year. I would expect to hear statements from the families of the victims at that hearing. This should be a highly emotional hearing.
Although his crimes were terrible, this sentencing agreement which spares Gardner’s life will likely save the County of San Diego and the State of California hundreds of thousands of dollars. By avoiding trials and appeals, not to mention the stress on the families of the victims, Mr. Gardner will serve the rest of his life in prison and the state will benefit financially from his plea. I commend the District Attorney for this decision and I congratulate Gardner’s attorney for saving his client’s life.