Clarksdale will pay for an out-of-town judge and prosecutor to hear two cases against Milton Gardner following his arrest in September.
Gardner is slated to appear in Clarksdale Municipal Court at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The judge and prosecutor have not been formally named. As always, Clarksdale Municipal Court is open to the public and citizens concerned about crime and the decline of the quality of life in Clarksdale are urged to attend.
According to police reports, Milton Gardner, a community advocate, had charges of indecent exposure filed against him following a Wednesday, Sept. 25 incident where he exposed himself and urinated in the presence of City Prosecuting Attorney Bill Gresham. Gresham had asked Gardner, and those who gather on park benches between City Hall and Second Street, to stop urinating in public at the park.
Gresham and his wife live downtown and own property across from City Hall in the 200 block of Sunflower Avenue.
The report goes on to say Gardner cursed Gresham out and told him to “get the xxxx out of my face.”
Gresham then filed an affidavit against Gardner for indecent exposure.
Gardner was also the focus of an alleged assault reported to police at the city mini park on Friday, Sept. 27.
When officers arrived police reports said they found a woman, identified at Veronica Melton, with a swelling on the right side of her face and Melton said she and Gardner had gotten into an altercation a few days ago. She told officers she did not want to file charges.
Gardner told the officer he did not assault Melton.
The report said the officer then told Gardner he appeared to be intoxicated, his eyes were red and there was the smell of alcohol on Gardner. The officer also told Gardner he had an outstanding warrant for Gardner’s arrest on the indecent exposure charges.
Gardner was transported to the Clarksdale Police Department and released on subpoena for the indecent exposure charge by Clarksdale Municipal Court Judge Derrick Hopson. Gardner then posted a $275 bond with Newson’s Bonding Company on the public drunk charge.
Hopson has recused himself from the case and asked the clerk to seek an impartial judge and prosecutor. Hopson also appointed a public defender for Gardner.
The police report said the Sept. 27 incident was captured on police body camera.
In a related incident, Melton was recently cited for indecent exposure and appeared in Clarksdale Municipal Court. When Melton was found guilty, she became unruly and the judge gave her 30-days in jail. Melton then began to insult the judge and got 60-days and then 90-days before court bailiffs escorted her from the courtroom and to the Coahoma County Jail.
In Mississippi indecent exposure is a misdemeanor and a first conviction can result in a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. A second conviction is also a misdemeanor, but can result in up to $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail.
Gardner, 64, of 222 Yazoo Avenue, appeared in Municipal Court at 2 p.m. Oct. 10, and was allegedly driven back downtown by a city official.
Gardner is part of group of people who sit on benches in a mini park next to City Hall and drink and panhandle from tourist and people entering downtown businesses.
