McAdam man acquitted in vigilantism case
Dwain Everett Gardiner, 48, of McAdam, had been accused of assaulting, pointing shotgun at village pariah and criminal Blake Scott, who fled scene after being ordered to strip naked
A McAdam man accused of taking the law into his own hands with respect to an offender and drug addict in the village has been acquitted of assault and firearms charges.
Dwain Everett Gardiner, 48, of Rockland Drive in McAdam, stood trial in the Court of King’s Bench before a judge and jury at the Burton Courthouse this week and last on charges alleging he engaged in vigilantism with another area man.
Gardiner had faced charges of assault, pointing a firearm, possession of a sawed-off shotgun for the purpose of committing an offence and unlawful confinement, all alleging offences against Blake Scott on June 4, 2022, at Gardiner’s home.
The 12 jurors began their deliberations at 10:44 a.m. Friday, and they signalled they’d reached their verdict just two hours later, finding him not-guilty on all four counts.
Justice Thomas Christie thanked the jurors for their service and dismissed them shortly after the verdict was rendered.