CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The son of West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman is facing charges of malicious wounding after allegedly beating up his sister.
Edward Gardner, 27, of Charleston, turned himself in to police Wednesday morning after the Tuesday night incident in Kanawha City.
Police were called to Quarry Creek Road at around 10 p.m. Tuesday when neighbors saw a man standing over a woman who was down on the pavement and screaming at her. The victim was Linzy Gardner, 29, of Charleston. The suspect was identified as her brother. Both are Justice Workman’s children.
“They were traveling into the Quarry Creek subdivision and an argument ensued,” said Charleston Police Sgt. Tony Hazelett. “She got out of the car and he followed and told her he would kill her. He then pushed her to the ground, hit her, and stomped her head on the pavement three times.”
Hazelett said Edward Gardner left the scene when police arrived. Linzy Gardner is in stable condition at a Charleston hospital.
Edward Gardner’s attorney, Jesse Forbes, told the Charleston Daily Mail his client disputes the charges.
“We believe Mr. Gardner is innocent of the charges he’s been accused of,” Forbes told the newspaper.
Gardner’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15.