Va. justices hear former Dem activist's appeal

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Supreme Court heard competing arguments Wednesday on whether a judge erred in conducting a single trial for a former Democratic Party official charged with molesting three children.

In May 2012, an Arlington County Circuit Court jury convicted Michael Armin Gardner of molesting two girls who attended a slumber party for his daughter’s 10th birthday. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge that Gardner molested another child the previous night when his daughter called him into her room to comfort her during a thunderstorm. A mistrial was declared on that count.