YOUR COMMENTS

I think Mr. Gardner was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Granted the wrong place happened to be his boat....are any of us really safe?
- Mary, Fremont

"Judge not lest you be judge." Some of your comments are so disrespectful of Mr. Gardner and his family. The man who could tell the story is dead and his family is deeply grieving the lost of a wonderful man, You have all come out with your own version of the story based upon an "UGLY" womans version and what she said, shame on all of you. The fact that these 2 felons were shacking out on Mr. Gardner's boat and had a mallet & switchblade in possession indicates to me that they kept these weapons at all times for their own protection. It also indicates that Mr. Gardner was unaware that anyone was staying on his boat and when he arrived they were both hidden in the cabin and when Mr. Gardner arrived and entered the cabin they were so scared & caught off guard they killed him because they did not want to go back to jail. I do not believe that these felons ever knew Mr. Gardner.Why would you kill someone who was paying you big bucks...think about it. My deepest sympathy, condolences, and daily prayers are with his grieving family that the God of all comfort would comfort them and fill them with his peace and grace them abundantly in their time of mourning & grief. God Bless. If you have nothing good to say, excuse me but "SHUT UP."
- Dee, Derry/Manchester, NH

Gardner was being a nice guy having a person like that stay with him because she did not have anywhere else to go, he should have let her rot in the gutter. That is what one gets for being a nice guy? I do not care what their business arrangement was, he still was a nice guy for feeling sorry for her and letting her stay with him.
- l, Hillsboro

Bottom line - none of us really know what happened. No matter how well we think we knew him or whether or not we believe what that woman said, we don't know. If she's lying computer and phone records will prove it. If she's telling the truth computer and telephone records will prove it.
My only thought after reading this article is, if I owned such a boat I would leave the cabin locked when I'm away. And from what I know about boats like that, the cockpit to cabin doors have a hasp and lock, not a door lock like we have on homes. To get inside a locked cabin to wait in ambush, you would have to have broken the hasp and lock, which would be very evident from the cockpit and anyone boarding the boat.
- Dave K, Sandown

HE DID NOT FIND HER ON CRAIGSLIST!!!!
I don't undertstand why anyone would believe this woman.
It is absolutely ridiculous that anyone would believe her.
They wanted to steal his boat and they ambushed him, why anyone can't see that is beyond me. He was a rich man and they robbed him and killed him. END OF STORY!!!
- Christine, Hooksett, NH

I don't think that monitoring the internet is the answer. Heck, people got killed before the internet even existed. I think people need to be more responsible for their own safety. If you interact with people you don't know...then you should meet them publicly....it's just common sense. I feel bad for the family of this gentleman....I hope they get their justice
- Tracy, manchester

I don't think that monitoring the internet is the answer. Heck, people got killed before the internet even existed. I think people need to be more responsible for their own safety. If you interact with people you don't know...then you should meet them publicly....it's just common sense. I feel bad for the family of this gentleman....I hope they get their justice
- Tracy, manchester

Stop blaming Craigslist. If you don't like it, don't use it. What gives you the right to say play moral police? I would never use a prostitute, but by all means, I have no idea how a government can tell somebody who they can have consenting sex with. The same people that complain about Craig's are probably the same people that complain about certain TV programs. Again, don't like it? Don't watch it.
- Pete, Manchester

I just would like to add my thoughts:
First of all regardless of what he may or may not have done, he did not deserve this, to be brutally beaten with a mallet. Plain and simple. Do you think if Lebaron had approached a big man like Dick, from the front, that the outcome would have been the same? I don't think so, he did not even see it coming.
Second, I would like to think that Dick had more class than the, come on did you see her picture, she is a disgusting woman, like a previous comment ..he had a sailboat, because air is free, get it, there is no way Dick would have paid for anything she had to offer. Why would you believe the story of a 7 time convicted felon , who at this point would probably say anything to get out of this "mess"
I will encourage all of the readers to try and please keep your comments civil and respectable. Do not forget that Dick Gardner still has a grieving family in this horrible aftermath. Think about this before you leave any other questionable comments...what if it were my father, brother, etc..how would you feel to have to read this filth. Dick was my uncle, and it deeply saddens me to have to read some of these heartless comments, that these readers have left...Just keep in mind he is a person, and has a family, plain and simple, this was undeserved no matter what the circumstances may prove..
- Jeff, Suncook

The comments posted by readers of this paper are always so ugly and mean-spirited. It's hard to believe these are our friends and neighbors. This is a sad tragedy on so many levels -- for Dick Gardner, his wife, his family. I don't believe he was having sex w/that girl. She's making it up. They robbed him and killed him, that's the bottom line.
- Jerry, Manchester, NH

This story just keeps getting more bizarre. It does sound like a National Enquirer story and yes the woman claiming this is a lowlife but the information about Mr. Gardner answering an add for sex on Craig's list would be very easy for the police to check and verify and I'm sure they did. At the very least maybe people out there who answer adds like this on these websites will be weary of doing it from now on and learn from Mr. Gardner's mistake. Unfortunately he had to lose his life and learn the hard way. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.
- Joanne, Manchester

How did a fresh out of jail convict get ads on the internet? Florida is a sunny place for shady people......

I don't believe her story for a minute and those two just got one up on the old man and killed him. Keep in mind sailors are traditionally cheapskates and if they wouldn't pay for gas they certainly wouldn't pay for azz!
- All Bums, Key West, FL

If in fact it come to light that he met this person on Craigslist. Then Craigslist is partilly resonable for his death for allowing their website to advertize prosutution on it's website! After reading this I checked it out and found it to be true that Craigslist does allow postings of prostution on it's website, that are not even modestly covert in nature! Shame on Mr Craig Newmark the founder of Craigslist for allowing these ads to be posted!!
- George, manchester

Clearly, a lot of folk haven't read complete accounts of this story in total. I read in 1 article that these 2 upstanding people, had gone to Fort Myers to attempt to steal a boat to go to Belisese because they don' have extradition there, and! they failed in this attempt. Futhermore in the article its states that they, spent the night before on his boat waiting for him they clearly had plans, that included killing this man for what ever reason, it wasn't because he had paid for sex!!! I would tend to think that someone that is facing the death penalty, for lying in wait to murder someone, for god knows what reason? Just might be trying to cover there own butt ! Wait until LaBaron finds out that he has been sold out what do you think he is gonna say happened and why? The next thing we will hear is that he was under him, and she was the one that did it all!!!
- Paul, manchester

First off I would like to offer my condolences to the Gardner family.
This was a terrible incident and my comments are in no way meant to make any form of judgment.
But often it takes an event such as this to open discussion on an underlying issue.

Back in the pre-1960’s, countless women died from back room abortions because they had nowhere to go.
The sexual revolution of the 60’s paved the way for the change in abortion laws.

We are facing a different form of sexual revolution enhanced by the internet. Accessibility to sexual encounters via the web is pervasive and is not limited to perverts, weirdo’s or sick people.
Good people have desires that need to be fulfilled.
Numerous Presidents, Governors, Senators, Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers and everyday Joe’s have paid the price for their dalliances…
And the only thing that seems to differentiate the same act is the money transferred.
Twenty dollars for a hooker, a hundred for a lady of the night, a thousand for a call girl…
And oh by the way… have you watched Two and a Half Men on TV?
They actually glorify the use of hookers!
How many times has “Charlie” boasted of his encounters?
Where’s the criticism for that?
It is still the same. Sex for money.

The web can be a dangerous place for people seeking encounters.
The privacy offered when making arrangements makes it attractive.
People think they can get away with their meetings because no one can trace their email conversations.
And it is that same privacy that can make it a dangerous place for a liaison.
You have no idea who the other person is or their motives. And to some, that is part of the attraction.
I would guess it safe to say that most people who become victims from a web encounter never report it because they are ashamed and they don’t want to come public with their “secret”. So we really have no idea what is really going on out there.

We would be kidding ourselves if we thought that we could stop these motives and desires with preaching’s of self-control and abstinence.
And we cannot stop the online postings because of free speech laws.

Maybe it is time to look at legalizing prostitution to get it out of the dark corners and alleys.

Morality aside, it might make things safer.
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

We need to ban uncensored internet access right now. This poor man was killed because of craigslist ads and the internet. We need to be more like China and carefully control access to the internet.

How many more people have to die because of this internet? How many more?!

Oh wait, that's the argument the anti gun lobby uses when there is a gun crime, instead of blaming the suspect...

Seriously though, this is a heart wrenching story because of the family left behind. It's sad to see what this world is coming to.
- Mike, Milton, NH

Here's the bottom line. Regardless of why Mr. Gardner was meeting the woman, a murder still occurred and that is the point of the story. I don't know Mr. Gardner but I certainly won't judge him based on the words of a person suspected of murder. Even if what she is saying is true, how does that equate to a person deserving to be murdered? It doesn't.
- Jeff, Manchester

It sounds like Gardner ruined the family name on his own!
- Misty, Concord, NH

Sure Mr.Gardner would be paying for services from this woman. Just look at her....she's the "apple" of my eye!

Come on people can't you see these killers are making up this story and who's going to say that's false....they're killers and the only other person who knows the truth is dead.

I feel so sorry for the family.
- Bonnie Hunt, Hooksett

It is sad that a man died here and my sympathies go out to his family.

People keep in mind here that many people turn to craigslist for many "things" all you have to do is read the ad's. Just because this man chose to do this does not make him a bad person. There are a tremendeous amount of people who do this sadly. It is not how the man should be judged in his life. Foolish in his behavior perhaps but many are. Unfortunately this man paid with his life.
- Carole, Epping

While you may not like what the UL is saying about a person you thought you knew the story is not misleading. It is newsworthy to understand how he "MAY" have gotten himself in this situation and that it "MAY" not have been random.

Phone records can be verified, computer use can be traced, although the full outcome of the police investigation may not be revealed to us it sounds like the truth will come out and hopefully be newsworthy.
- Jeff, Manchester

The suspcts arrested were both just released from prison. It is foolish that anyone would believe any of the stories they might fabricate.

I suspect that they were total strangers, hiding out on the boat and then ambushed the unsuspecting Mr. Gardner when he arrived there.

Most of the slanderous post here are unworthy of being printed and I would ask the editors to remove them in respect for Mr. Gardner, who was a fine and honorable man.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

and what were they doing with a switchblade and rubber mallet hammer if they didn't intend on killing him???? i am so angry right now.......
you people trying to turn it around on him like he was the bad guy cheating on his wife
- Christine, Hooksett, NH

Of course I'd believe her story....after all she was performing services for him.
Too bad this had to make front page reading on the UL.
- Charlie Austin, Bedford

Brenda.....
YOU HAVE NO CLUE!!!!
You didn't know Richard Gardner did you?
But you would believe this woman???
This is how he got himself into this mess?? Why was LeBaron there if he was meeting her for sex? Why did they steal his wallet, car, laptop, and leave him to die? She is obvoously lying you moron, this was the only thing she could come up with to save herself. YOU sicken me...Richard Gardner was my husbands uncle and I don't appreciate your comments.
- Christine, Hooksett

I feel like I just read the front page of the inquirer. Shame on the Union Leader for printing such trash. You have no respect for Dick's family and you are publishing garbage from a person that has no credibility. At one point I hope we can get back to some quality journalism.
- Jim, Manchester

A murder with with no motivation? This is insane.
- Jeff, Manchester

Yes, Brenda. I'd believe everything this woman has to say, too. After all, she and her boyfriend just killed someone.
- Lynn, Manchester

Soo... he got what he deserved, RIGHT, BRENDA? Your logic sickens ME.
- Lou, Manchester

"ad she posted on craigslist"..."performed sexual acts on him" Hmm, sounds a lot like the prostitution sting that area police departments, including Manchester and Kingston did last year. And all you nit wits could do was bash those agancies for "wasting tax payers dollars" and "not fighting real crime" If murder isn't real crime, I don' know what is. Think outside the box people. Kudos to those departments that try to do just this
- alex, newton

This story is bizarre at best, Gardner is cruising Craigslist for sex, gets caught in a bad situation and ends up dead. I feel terrible for his wife, imagine what may be going through her mind.

But the most troubling issue here is the "Keystone Cops" in Tennessee. I can't believe they couldn't come up with anything to hold these two. And the Key West authorities say they found no evidence of foul play when they went to the boat?????

I think the Key West authorities should have forced entry into the boat, given the fact they suspected the two in Tennessee were lying, and things just didn't add up.

I'm just glad LeBaron & Whitmore got caught. It was nice to see a surveillance camera picture of LeBaron in the media.

I know people are going to be critical here, but with more surveillance, fighting crime from graffiti on buildings, to robbery, and even murder will be easier to solve.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think we need to have cameras everywhere, but in obvious areas, I say, DO IT!
- Joe, Salem

Can I just say that this poor family has been through enough and now they have to endure everyone bashing this poor man again over comments being made by one of his accused killers. This sickens me! I personally know one of Richard's nieces and the thought of the family having to go through this after they have finally gotten some closure makes me cringe! Richard, may your soul rest in peace.
- CP, Weare

"This is how he got himself in this mess in the first place!"
Brenda, Boston MA

She's a lying, thieving, ex-con.
I for one, don't believe a word she says.
Don't be so quick to place blame on the victim.

Paul
- Paul, Manchester

So, if I understand correctly, he deserved to die because he paid a women for sexual favors? What about JFK, RFK and Dr. King Jr., among the legions of other men who strayed from the monotony of monogamous relationships in the same way, did they also deserve what they got?

It was a terribly crime, the circumstances may cause some embarrassment for his family, but one action, or set of actions, does not define a life. So please, direct your thoughts to assuage the grief over the loss of a father and husband, not the piddly shame you think they endure.
- jay charley, manchester

"She told investigators Gardner responded to an ad she posted on craigslist and that she performed sexual acts on him in exchange for money numerous times. " Did anybody read this! This is how he got himself in this mess in the first place! This sickens me. My thoughts go out to his wife and children who obviously were not first in his life.
- Brenda, Boston MA

That's it .. I'm never calling a call girl to visit me on my yacht.. wait; I don't have a yacht. Nor any money. And I am freezing in NH.. oh well.. never mind.
- Tom, Manchester, NH