Winfield second-degree murder suspect Zachary Gardner is continuing to proceed toward trial next month. A pretrial evidentiary hearing is set for Jan. 19 at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield.
Jury selection is set to begin on Feb. 5
This summer, Gardner entered a not guilty plea to a count of second-degree murder brought in connection with the January 2017 death of his wife, 33-year-old Melissa Gardner. She was found dead in the couple’s home in Winfield.
At the time, Winfield police said Melissa Gardner had been shot and killed.
Zachary Gardner, 33, has remained in the county jail since police arrived at the family’s home to find Melissa Gardner dead. Zachary Gardner was also found in the home.
Zachary Gardner is in the Cowley County Jail with bond set at $500,000. The trial date was delayed for a time so that he could undergo a mental health evaluation.
COURT NOTES:
Ethan Dane Huff, 27, is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Feb. 1.
Huff is the Ark City High School teacher accused of having unlawful sexual relations with a female student. Huff was arrested in October and has been suspended from all duties with USD 470.
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An investigation into the death of Marc “Coco” Tapia is ongoing, according to Cowley County attorney Larry Schwartz.
Tapia, an employee with the city of Ark City, died in December after being struck by a street sweeper. An inmate worker was said to be inside the street sweeper at the time.
