Mark Gardiner is well known to us here at 7NEWS. His name was first thrust into the headlines after he was charged for killing Gregory Batty at a high school football game in March of 2003. He was tried for that killing three separate times, and was finally found not guilty in October of 2005. But his problems began in March of 2004 when the first case was thrown out. Since then Gardiner's life has come under repeated attack. Over two years, we spoke to him in the hospital, on the corner and in the courtroom and found that Mark Gardiner has been a young man with a keen sense of his own mortality, because he always knew that waiting somewhere was a bullet with his name on it.
Keith Swift Reporting,
We first spoke to Mark from his hospital bed in October of 2004 after gunshots pierced his buttocks and punctured a lung. As far back as then, the then 23 year old knew someone was out to get him.
[October 21st, 2004]
Mark Gardiner,
"...They said they won't stop until they make sure I die."
Jules Vasquez,
How will you stay alive? How will you keep them from killing you?
Mark Gardiner,
"God will make sure I don't die."
[End October 21st, 2004]
We met Mark again in January of 2005. This time it at the Supreme Court when he walked free after a jury deadlocked in his retrial for the Gregory Batty killing. A still wary Gardiner told me he was going to lay low because they were still out to get him.
[January 6th, 2005]
Keith Swift,
What's next for you? You are still out on bail and you might have to go through another trial. What's next?
Mark Gardiner,
"Just lay low and make sure that any more attempts on my life don't come through...I just have to watch myself at all times and keep out of their eyes."
[End January 6th, 2005]
But Mark couldn't hide from those wanted to get him. In April of 2005 he was involved in a high speed chase involving police. Mark's story was that it was a case of self defense. Six months later we talked to a more upbeat Mark in October of 2005 when he was finally acquitted of the Gregory Batty shooting.
[October 21st, 2005]
Keith Swift,
You're a free man. What are you going to do now?
Mark Gardiner,
"I am just going home to relax and take a little rest because recently I haven't been sleeping."
[End October 21st, 2005]
It is a peace mark looked for but he never found in a war that caught up with him this morning on East Canal.
We stress that police say the attack this morning was not connected to the Gregory Batty shooting. And again police are seeking Kareem Lopez for questioning. They add that Lopez is not officially a suspect.
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. Mark Gardiner Fighting for Freedom and his Life
. Jury Deadlocked, Mark Gardiner Walks
. Mark Gardiner Shoots at Police
. Jury Acquits Mark Gardiner
