Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, September 8, 2014
(BEDFORD) - A Bedford man convicted of murdering his wife and who was eligible for a community transition program has been ordered back to a maximum security prison.
55 -year-old David J. Gardner had a chance to be released to community corrections for supervised probation. Gardner could have been placed on electronic monitoring, work release or something similar starting Nov. 3. He is expected to be released from prison on March 3, 2015.
In 1990, Gardner was sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of his wife, 25-year-old Paula Gardner. On March 2, 1989, Gardner hid behind bushes at Paula's parent's home at 1215 Redbud Stand and waited for his soon-to-be ex-wife. That was the same day their divorce was to be final.
Paula had been to an Indiana University basketball game with friends. Her parents were asleep inside the home.
Gardner approached his wife with a 14-inch knife. She fought back and Gardner suffered a cut on his hand. Gardner forced his wife to the ground, tied a sock around her neck and stabbed her in the neck and chest a total of 15 times. He then dragged her body 150 feet from the home and buried her in a shallow grave.
On Aug. 15, 1990, Gardner - in exchange with then prosecutor Charlene Hall - discussed the possibility of dropping the death penalty charge and pleaded guilty to murder.
Superior Court I Judge Michael Robbins sentenced Gardner is to serve his entire 60 year sentence in a maximum security prison with no time suspended.
The DOC reported to the court that Gardner was in 'minimum security,' and the court paperwork reports that placement was a "direct and deliberate violation" of Lawrence Circuit Court by the DOC.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.