Co-defendant in motorcycle club shootings in Warren sentenced to prison term

WARREN — In a fast-moving morning, a co-defendant in the Warren Township motorcycle club shootings, James Gardner was sentenced to eight years in prison after being originally promised a sentence of 15 to 20 years.

He was brought to court unexpectedly after David Bailes, the president of Forever Two Wheels had his sentencing hearing and got an unexpectedly low prison term of 10 years for his role in the shootings.

Bailes was the primary shooter who killed two rival motorcycle club members and injured two others at Shorty's Place tavern on June 18, 2016.

Bailes and Gardner received their sentences from Judge Andrew Logan of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, who said he understood there would be a lot of people unhappy with Bailes' sentence, but it was reached in a plea agreement because of "complications in the case."

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com