Gardner Trial Under Way

Jury selection in the sexual battery case against Michael A. Gardner began Monday morning in the Arlington County Circuit Court.

Gardner was arraigned and entered a plea of not guilty. Gardner's lawyers and Loudoun County Deputy Commonwealth Special Attorney Nicole Wittman interviewed several potential jurors Monday. The 14-member jury will include two alternates. Judge Benjamin Kendrick said the trial should last through Friday but may continue into next week.

Peter Greenspun, Gardner’s attorney, asked Kendrick if he could take the jurors to the city of Falls Church home where three young girls accused his client of touching them in a sexual manner. Kendrick said he will wait for the appropriate time to see if such a move is necessary.

“It’s crucial that this jury sees that basement,” Greenspun said.

Gardner, who served as chairman of the Falls Church City Democratic Committee from 2006 to 2007, was arrested in June 2011 and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and a single count of object sexual penetration.

Gardner is accused of touching two girls in a sexual manner during a birthday sleepover for his daughter. They were 9 and 10 at the time. A third alleged victim, who was 10 years old at the time, has accused Gardner of touching her in a sexual manner in a separate incident.

The third girl testified in July about the separate incident, which allegedly happened June 16.

Gardner posted $50,000 bond following his arrest.