On Wednesday, Bailey gave Gardner an ultimatum – resign or be removed – after a motorist who repeatedly violated his bond conditions on earlier charges crashed and left a teenage volleyball player with major injuries that required both her legs be amputated. Gardner's office is the one that should be monitoring compliance with bond conditions and revoking them when those terms are violated.
The victim, Janae Edmondson, 16, visited St. Louis with her family last Saturday for a volleyball tournament. While the family was in the downtown area, 21-year-old Daniel Riley was speeding, failed to yield and caused a collision, ultimately striking and pinning Edmondson.
WHO IS KIMBERLY GARDNER, ST. LOUIS PROSECUTOR INVESTIGATING GUN-TOTING COUPLE?
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner speaks in St. Louis. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey called Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023 for the resignation of St. Louis' elected prosecutor Kim Gardner, after a motorist who repeatedly violated his bond conditions on earlier charges crashed and injured a teenage volleyball player from Tennessee, resulting in amputation of both of her legs. (AP Photo/Jim Salter)
According to local reports, Edmondson only survived due to her father’s quick thinking and military training. She remains in the hospital in critical condition.
In the days following the crash, local reports revealed Riley was out on bail awaiting trial for a 2020 armed robbery. According to KSDK, Riley had violated the terms of his bond at least 50 times, but the circuit attorney's office did not ask for his bond to be revoked.
Janae Edmondson was in a crosswalk with her parents on her way home from a volleyball tournament when police allege Daniel Riley ignored sped through a yield sign, striking her and another car. (Town of Smyrna, St. Louis Police Department)
On Tuesday, Garnder released a statement saying, "our hearts go out to the victim and her family for this unspeakable tragedy that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact not only on her, but her family and loved ones."
"It's unfortunate that there are those who choose to twist the facts to take advantage of this situation for their own selfish motives, "Gardner said. "This is not the time for finger pointing, it's time to support this family, and ensure that justice is served."