Sullivan County—After a nearly week long investigation, Indiana State Police Detectives from the Putnamville Post have arrested a suspect in connection with the September 1, 2012 altercation at the Uptown Tavern in Dugger, IN. The altercation resulted in the death of Richard D. Pigg, age 51, of Dugger.

ARRESTED:  James B. Gardner, age 24, of Elnora, Indiana.
CHARGE: One Count of Involuntary Manslaughter, Class C felony
WARRANT: Sullivan Superior Court Warrant, Bond set at $15,000 with no 10%.
HELD: In the Sullivan County Jail

Accompanied by his attorney, James Gardner surrendered to Indiana State Police troopers at 9:00a.m. this morning at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest warrant had been issued on Friday, September 7, 2012, but Gardner had eluded troopers in recent days.

On September 1st  around 1:28a.m., James B. Gardner is alleged to have punched Richard D. Pigg on the side of the face causing Pigg to fall and strike his head on the floor of the Uptown Tavern. Pigg was pronounced deceased at 7p.m. September 1 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. A subsequent autopsy by the Marion County Coroner’s Office revealed Richard Pigg died of blunt force trauma to the head.

The lead investigator was ISP Detective Tom Hanks. Assisting were ISP Detective First Sergeant Jeff Hearon, ISP Crime Scene Investigator Sergeant Kris Fitzgerald, Dugger Town Marshal’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff Brian Kennett and deputies, and the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office.

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.