SAN DIEGO – John Gardner, the convicted sex offender from Lake Elsinore, avoided a death sentence by pleading guilty Friday to the slayings of two San Diego County girls.

Gardner waived his right to appeal the convictions and will be sentenced to two consecutive, no-parole prison terms.

His unexpected plea ended speculation over whether he would be charged in the deaths of both Chelsea King and Amber Dubois.

Gardner also admitted assaulting another girl in the Rancho Bernardo Community Park in December.

Amber disappeared in February of last year while walking to Escondido High School.

Chelsea disappeared February 25th after going for a run in the Rancho Bernardo park. The 17-year-old Poway girl’s body was found five days later. (Source: San Diego Tribune)

Story Date: April 19, 2010