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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Man gets 6 months after judge rejects deal

A Spokane County Superior Court judge rejected a sentencing proposal or a man who returned to jail just weeks after promising to "make better decisions" and "be a parent."

Judge Kathleen O'Connor on Wednesday sentenced Michael R. "Mikey Mike" Gardner, 24, to six months in jail instead of the proposed credit for time already served.

Gardner pleaded guilty to two counts of riot in a plea deal that dismissed original charges of first-degree assault, second-degree assault and first-degree burglary.

But O'Connor decided the sentence recommended by the defense and prosecution didn't fit the crimes and ordered Gardner to stay in jail another six months.

Gardner was arrested after two men were stabbed early Jan. 30 - less than  two weeks after he was sentenced to credit for time served on a third-degree assault charge connected to a July 24 incident.

At the Jan. 19 sentencing, Gardner, a father of two, told Judge Michael Price that he planned to make “better decisions” and “move forward with my life, get school taken care of and be a parent.”

He was back in jail by Feb. 1.

Past coverage:

Suspect arrested in weekend stabbing

Attempted murder charges dropped

Two women shot in crosstown melee



Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.