After walking from a manslaughter rap and surviving two attempts on his life, all within the last year, Mark Gardiner is in the news again tonight. The 24 year old was shot by police over the weekend during a chase in the Lake Independence area. Police say that around 9 on Friday night they responded to reports of a shooting in the vicinity of Hondo and Nargusta Streets where they saw Zelda Usher. She told them she was getting into her Mitsubishi Mirage when she heard 8 gunshots, one of which shattered one of her windows. When police responded they pursued 3 men one of whom they shot. The injured suspect turned out to be mark Gardiner who was injured in his upper right leg. Police also report that they found a.38 pistol in the area which they believe was in the possession of Gardiner. He was taken to the KHMH and has since been released. He should have been released into police custody but we understand he is tonight a free man.
Mark Gardiner first made headlines in 2003 for the murder of Gregory Batty at a high school football game at the MCC grounds. The charge was later downgraded to manslaughter. He was tried but on January 6th a jury was deadlocked and he walked. While he was on trial, Gardiner survived a hit on his life. The DPP's office vowed to re-file the charges against Gardiner. Gardiner has maintained to us throughout that the Gregory Batty killing was in self-defense.
