Michael Gardner, Democratic activist and businessman, guilty on 3 of 4 counts against him for sexually abusing his daughter's 2 friends during 2 sleepovers at his family's home in June 2011. The girls were 9 and 10 years old...
The jury believed two girls who said Mr. Gardner fondled their genitals. One of the girls said he put his finger inside her vagina. The prosecution presented convincing DNA evidence which found Gardner's DNA on both of those girl's clothing. His DNA was found on one girl's pajama pants and the crotch of the other girl's underwear. She's the one connected to the penetration charge.
The strongest DNA was found on her underwear: the probability of the DNA matching to Gardner is one in 20.7 quadrillion.
Link to Story
When convicted, Gardner showed no emotion.
For close to two hours, Greenspun (defense attorney) raised doubts about the prosecution's case. Pointing out Michael Gardner's good reputation, he said, "The Commonwealth wants you to belie common sense."
"To be a deviant pervert, someone who can't be trusted, to be someone you have not been in the first 47 years of your life?"
Why would Michael Gardner do this, He asked. "Why would he do this to his wife and kids? He survived cancer...he has the house of his dreams...Why would he throw it all away?"
And, of course, the usual spiel - they made it all up...
Greenspun said the children's accounts had 67 inconsistencies. "At some point, the kids lose control of this to police who want to prosecute and parents who are upset." He said the police just took what the kids said, and didn't consider whether they had made it up.
These little girls are my heroes - they stood up to their abuser and made him face the consequences of his actions.
Let's continue to support all victims of child sexual abuse.
Thank you,
Roxine
3:20 PM PT: Local DNA expert Thomas McClintock with DNA Diagnostics Inc., in Dunkirk, Md., explained that one in 20.7 quadrillion means "Gardner is the only person with that DNA on the planet" since the earth's population is only 7 billion