John Albert Gardner

In light of the recent tragedy in San Diego where 17-year-old Chelsea King was raped and murdered, the fact that convicted sex offender John Albert Gardner could be the man responsible is sparking an outrage across America.  The big question is how can a man who should have spent 10 years behind bars, serve five and be on probation for mere three? 

Gardner was convicted in 2000 of sexually assaulting and attacking a girl in his own home.  He punched the 13-year-old in the face numerous times during the attack.  If Gardner is guilty of murdering Chelsea, one has to wonder if giving him the maximum sentence could have prevented this horrific incident.

Then, over the weekend, the bones of Amber Dubois were found.  This teen went missing more than a year ago, on February 13, 2009 as she walked to school.  We are waiting for the autopsy and toxicology reports to come back, and if this is, in fact, a murder, there may be evidence linking Gardner to her death as well.  Gardner was also charged with assault for an attack he allegedly committed on December 27, 2009 on a woman in the same park where Chelsea was found.  Investigators throughout the area are opening up cases on women who say they were attacked to see if Gardner could be linked to them as well.