Sentencing for Winfield’s Zachary Gardner has been delayed because he has retained new legal counsel. Gardner was convicted last month of unintentional 2nd-degree murder in the 2017 death of his wife, Melissa Gardner.
Sentencing in that case was to happen this afternoon at the Cowley County Courthouse in Winfield. It has been rescheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 29.
“We will be ready to move forward, nothing changes for us,” county attorney Larry Schwartz said Monday.
Schwartz learned of the change of counsel on Friday.
Gardner, 33, will now be represented by Wichita-based attorney Tim Scimeca. At trial, Gardner was represented by attorneys Chad Giles, of Ark City, and Mike Brown, of Mulvane.
In February, a Cowley County jury deliberated about three hours before finding Gardner guilty.
Zachary Gardner shot and killed his wife at their home at 504 E. Fourth in Winfield. Her body was discovered at the residence by her sister on Jan. 15, 2017.
Multiple court sources have told NewsCow that Zachary Gardner would likely face a sentence of around 130 months. He will get credit for time served and also could receive a reduction for good behavior while incarcerated.
