John Albert Gardner Enters Guilty Plea Today

John Albert Gardner III entered a guilty plea today in the murder of San Diego high school students Chelsea King and Amber DuBois. According to the Associated Press, Gardner appeared in court today in a blue jumpsuit with his arms shackled. He did not speak other than to answer "yes" to the judge's questions.

There has been much speculation in the Gardner case. As a San Diego resident, I can say that all eyes were on him after DNA at the Chelsea King crime scene led to an arrest. Recent news stories on Amber Dubois had surged after the one year mark had passed since her disappearance. Then, another teenage girl disappeared. Gardner was arrested for the murder of Chelsea King before her body was located, which led many to speculate that he had shared information about the King murder with the police. Amber Dubois' body was found a few days later in a remote location that had not been covered in previous police searches.

According to NBC news, Gardner entered a plea deal and confessed to the murders of both Chelsea King and Amber Dubois. According to reporter Michelle Wayland, "He pleaded guilty to kidnapping, raping and stabbing Amber one and a half hours after he met her. He also admitted dragging Chelsea to a remote area where he raped, strangled and buried her -- and pleaded guilty to attempting to rape another woman who was jogging in Rancho Bernardo Community Park last year." News stations are reporting a variety of prison sentences that Gardner is facing at this time, although they are all stating that the sentences are without the possibility of parole.

Today's news reveals that John Gardner was the one who led the police to the body of Amber DuBois as was speculated. In a press conference, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis stated that the information on how the bodies of the teenagers were found was originally withheld from the media until a plea deal had been reached.

John Albert Gardner was a registered sex offender at the time of both murders. His registered address was located in Lake Elsinore, which is approximately one hour north of where he was staying in Escondido, with his parents, at the time the murders occurred. His ability to evade re-arrest for parole violations, and light sentence in his original sex offense have led the King and DuBois families to lobby for stronger sentences for sex offenders. I hope that they succeed.

Sources:

Spagat, Elliot. Sex offender pleads guilty to murdering 2 teens. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hJV5atkKxNxjq1tNeZqWdfDuL5bAD9F4DMHG0

Wayland, Michelle. He Killed Both of Them : John Albert Gardner III admits he murdered Chelsea King and Amber Dubois.http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/Surprise-Hearing-in-Gardner-Case-Today--91044959.html