Trial Date Set in the Stanley Gardner Aggravated Murder Case
Joe Lyons •
November 17, 2023
During a NGRI Dispositional Hearing on 11/13/2023, before Judge Stimpert, a surprising turn of events, the Attorney for Stanley Gardner, Donald Wick, has dropped the plea of “not guilty by reason of insanity” (NGRI) for the criminal charges against Stanley Gardner in the shooting death of his own son Jason Gardner.
Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher R. Tunnell questioned Stanley Gardner’s defense attorney, Donald Wick, stating, “So if I understand it correctly, is the defense conceding the competency issue at this point?” Attorney Wick replied with a simple, “Yes.” This decision has led to a trial date finally being set in the Aggravated Murder case before the Ashland County Common Pleas Court.
On 09/09/2022, a complaint was filed against Stanley Gardner in the Ashland County Common Pleas Court. Afterwards, a Sabrosa indictment was filed on November 18, 2022.
The Sabrosa indictment, which followed the initial complaint, charged Stanley Gardner with Aggravated Murder, an unclassified felony. The indictment alleged that between September 1, 2022, and September 2, 2022, in Ashland County, Ohio, Gardner intentionally and with prior calculation and design caused the death of Jason Gardner. This act violated Ohio Revised Code Section 2903.01 (A) and 2929.02 (A), making it an unclassified felony.
The indictment also contained two specifications related to the primary count of Aggravated Murder.
The first specification stated that Stanley Gardner had a firearm in his possession or under his control while committing the offense. He allegedly displayed, brandished, indicated possession, or used the firearm to facilitate the crime. The specific firearm in question was identified as a Taurus Spectrum .380 cal. handgun with serial no. IF 166990.
The second specification asserted that Gardner, as the owner and/or possessor of the Taurus Spectrum handgun, utilized this contraband or property derived from the offense or facilitated the crime. The prosecution alleged that the firearm served as an instrumentality in the commission of the offense.
With the plea change to “not guilty” and the jury trial date has been set for 02/27/2024 at 8:30 AM. This trial will take place before Judge Stimpert in Courtroom #1 and is expected to conclude on 03/12/2024. The trial’s outcome will determine Stanley Gardner’s fate and serve justice.
The recent decision by Stanley Gardner’s attorney to drop the plea of “not guilty by reason of insanity” has paved the way for a trial in the Aggravated Murder case. The forthcoming jury trial will provide an opportunity for the evidence to be presented, allowing justice to be served. As the trial fast approaches, it remains to be seen how the proceedings will unfold and what the ultimate outcome will be in this tragic case.