Sex offender pleads not guilty in slaying of Chelsea King [Updated]

A registered sex offender pleaded not guilty to the killing of Chelsea King, a 17-year-old last seen jogging near a San Diego County lake.

During a brief court hearing in San Diego, John Albert Gardner III, 30, said through an attorney that he denied killing King. Gardner, handcuffed and dressed in a jail jumpsuit, did not address the court.

Gardner was arrested Sunday afternoon outside a restaurant near Lake Hodges after unspecified evidence linked him to the crime, authorities said. The 230-pound Gardner, who is registered as living in Lake Elsinore, had been visiting his mother in Rancho Bernardo last week.

In 2000, Gardner pleaded guilty to molestation charges involving a 13-year-old girl.

He served five years of a six-year prison term and wore a global-positioning system tracking device until 2008, when his parole term ended.

A dive team found King's body on a tributary of Lake Hodges in a wooded area that had been the focus of an extensive search since Saturday, after a shoe was found there. A diver working his way up the tributary saw debris about 10 feet from the water. That discovery led to the grave.

The site is about half a mile from the parking lot at Rancho Bernardo Community Park, where King had left her car before heading out on the trail.

[Updated at 3:53 pm: San Diego County prosecutors said Gardner could be eligible for the death penalty with the charges filed today. The office will decide at a later date whether to seek the death penalty.]

-- Amina Khan in San Diego

Photo: San Diego police investigate vandalism at the home of Gardner's mother. Credit: Fox 5 San Diego

Comments

[h hilborn]

Our hearts go out to the King family and friends.

[Mike]

What does the graffiti say?

[Corey Keizer]

What this fails to mention is the fact that in 2000, San Diego prosecutors ignored the doctors who were telling them that John Gardner was and would continue to be a danger to young girls forever. They recommended the max sentence in 2000, which was 11 years. If prosecutors in San Diego had not ignored the doctor this tragedy would be avoided. It very clearly shows that the courts in San Diego have higher priorities than protecting women and children from rapists and molesters. I wonder how that prosecutor feels today?

[True Freedom]

If the guy gets the death penalty, let me do it.

[bob cuomo]

I don't blame everyone for being mad and upset with what happened to Chelsea (I'm pretty darn upset myself...the guy should've still been in jail), but don't take it out on his mother by painting that awful message on her garage door...paint stuff on his house.

[mk]

Why do they keep stressing this guy's weight whenever they describe him? People are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty and it could easily have been someone else. But these news stories keep emphasizing, "the 230 lb Garner," as if the fact that he weighs over two hundred lbs proves that he did it. Very poor journalism here.

[Kenneth Rinderhagen Jr]

He said he pleads not guilty,
Though evidence shows that he is guilty
It far too often that criminals use a not guilty plea to extend their time to devise excuses and prolong the closer.
What evidence has the accused presented to allow a not guilty plead

[legalchick]

What does the fact that he weighs 230 pounds have to do with anything? Would he be less repulsive if he weighed 180?

[AndreaU8]

Yes - my heart also goes out to the Kings and the other family with the missing daughter that most likely this monster killed as well.

If there ever was a reason to have the death penalty, it is for this monster John Albert Gardner III. Who knows how many other girls this animal raped or killed. It is just sick to see how time after time these monsters get out of prison to hurt women over and over again.

[Brandon]

Death penalty as soon as possible please. No use to society. Don't waste our tax dollars on him. Protect the rest of our children and get these monsters off the streets. I'll do it for free. Prayers for the family, sorry our justice system failed you.

[Eve]

I thought I'd leave a comment, but then I remembered that the moderator is not approving mine. Apparently I'm only allowed to comment in the entertainment section.

[NinaK]

other young, promising young lady killed by a registered sex offender. His psychiatrist recommended a 30-year term, stating this guy was a danger and would rape/assault again. The prosecuter did NOT listen to the expert; he recommended ONLY SIX year under plea bargaining so the 13-year old victim would not have to testify. This is absolutely insane! The child deserved much, much more! Now we have Miss King dead by the same guy, and very likely a 14 year old girl. WHY? Because the prosecutor was too damned easy on this freak! It's a crying shame someone in possession of drugs (for personal use) serves twice the time, yet, has committed no CRIMINAL offence...only had a few drugs in his car or pockets. The states MUST have a "universal" punishment for these criminals and punish them severely for a LONG, LONG time, not a mere five years like this monster! Get to work state leaders and coordinatte with other states...that no matter where the crime is committed, these criminals received lengthy prison term and never let loose on society again! My deep sympathies go out Miss King, her family, friends and everyone else that knew and loved her.

[Dirk]

What does the garage door say? There is no reference to the image.

[wideeyed]

Kenneth R:

Thankfully our justice system has a presumption of innocence. The defendant does not present any evidence at a an arraignment. The prosecutor presents evidence to the judge and the judge rules whether or not that evidence supports filing the charges. That said I am not saying thankfully for this defendant but for all those who have been falsely accused and exonerated their names at trial. My hat is off to the law enforcement professionals who arrested him because my sentiments are the same as Brandon's.

Dirk: The door is painted with the words " Chelsea's blood is on you move out". It is the accused's mother and step dad's house.

[Jake]

Wouldn't a simple solution be ... mandated castration for all sex offenders ...of course this would conflict with their civil rights.

[s smittle]

it looks like it says 'chelsea's blood is on you...move out' ...the mom's not responsible but hopefully we won't have to hear her defend him

[Graham Smith]

The parents let this scum bag live there...!!!

[Gayle]

This reminds me of the Lily Burke case this past summer when prosecutors ignored the same thing--until it was too late and Burke was murdered. When will our court system get it?

[Marco]

Dirk, it says "Chelsea's blood is on you move out"

It is apparently well known that anyone over 200 pounds is evil, I can see the sensationalism value in placing it in the story. We get the journalistic styles we ask for, otherwise Fox News, People Magazine, US, and The Enqirer would not be in business.

The Times is in the business of selling papers, just like Nancy Grace profiteers with sensational "journalism". Anything that can drive people to buy the dying newspaper, or drive hits on the web site is worth dollars - which at Times-Mirror is what the bottom line is - and those outdated ideas of integrity, truth, and balanced reporting be dammed.

[Joseph W. Walden Jr.]

Seems to me California nothing but a mass breeding ground for sex offenders & serial killers of women, how on earth the the LASD release Mitrice Richarson in the middle of nowhere like without a care for her safety.
Has the LAPD even identified the body of the woman burned in a Santa Fe trash bin, I suppose nobody wants to talk about the fact you have much bigger issues as you have multiple missing women in the state that nobody wants find unless the victem is a juvenile.
So the fact is no woman or child is safe anywhere near the state, I am willing to bet sex offenders stalk California from neighboring states as well.

[Mandy]

any idea where Gardener is originally from?

[MLB]

Woah you guys seem to know everything about this case. Good thing the same Constitution that protects your rights to carry your assault rifle into Starbucks also protects this mans right to a fair trial, and good thing his trial isn't being held in the comments section of the LA Times...

[JG]

"Chelsea's blood is on you move out"

[DC]

I think there is such an emphasis on his weight because it makes this tragic incident even more horrifying.. A 230lb man against a 105 (?) lbs high school girl!!

Shame on the prosecutor for failing to listen to a professional. I would love to hear his/her excuse why the maximum possible was not given? And I hope they have many sleepless night knowing that their screw up has cost the life of wonderful girl AND a life-long sentence of agony for the parents, relatives, and friends! Good job whoever you are!

The spray paint say "Chelseas blood is on you move out"

It's a shame that such tragedies like this have to happen to bring attention to a failed system. One child is one too many! What frustrate me even more is not knowing what "I" can do to help make a change? Any suggestions on which elected officials to write, email, call to voice my opinions? Where does one start? Local, State, Federal officials?

Our hearts and thoughts are with the King family!

[jabez99]

Corey says -- "What this fails to mention is the fact that in 2000, San Diego prosecutors ignored the doctors who were telling them that John Gardner was and would continue to be a danger to young girls forever. "

Yes. Even more to the point, the victim in that case apparently testified he tried to strangle her! How does this result in a plea down to generic "lewd assault" charges? All sex offenders are not equal, and this testimony alone obviously placed Gardner in the "most dangerous" category.