A man accused of telling 911 his estranged wife was dying, alone, and in need of EMS in hopes of learning her location was charged last week with filing a false report. HCSO Cpl. Michael Allen stated in his report that on Oct.
11 the victim intended to call her caregiver, but accidentally called her husband, Richard James Gardner , 67, of Rogersville. When she realized it was Gardner on the other end she quickly hung up, Allen stated in his report. “She had been hiding from him due to him assaulting her and saying he is going to kill her,” Allen stated in his report.
“Richard called 911 and told them that his wife called him and told him she was very sick, and alone, and didn’t know where she was. He also told dispatch that she is dying.” Allen reported that Deputy Dustin Winter responded to Gardner’s residence where Gardner again stated that his wife was sick, alone, and in need of EMS.
Upon locating the victim Allen learned that she was afraid of Gardner and never wanted to speak to him. “I believe Richard Gardner filed a false report by telling both Dispatch and Deputy Winter lies in order to ascertain his wife’s location,” Allen stated in his report. Gardner was arrested on Oct.
18 and released on recognizance pending arraignment Monday in Sessions Court..
