WESTPORT, Conn. ? The arraignment of Thomas Gardner of New Bedford, Mass., on charges resulting from a high-speed chase through Fairfield and Westport has been pushed back to Monday, News12 reported. Gardner is also a suspect in a New Bedford murder.
Moments before he was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Bridgeport Superior Court, Gardner had a seizure and was taken to St. Vincents Hospital in Bridgeport, according to News12. The previous night, he reportedly tried to hang himself in his cell but was stopped by an officer.
The 35-year-old Gardner is expected to be charged with murder in the death of Michael Duarte, 36, whose body was found Wednesday in a New Bedford home believed to be owned by Gardner.
The suspect, who was captured Wednesday in Westport after a five-hour police dragnet through the area near Playhouse Square, will be held on $1 million bond following his release from the hospital, the Connecticut Post reported.
The $1 million bond was set for forgery charges in Massachusetts, according to the Post, but took into account the pending murder charge. Gardner was also ordered held on $50,000 bond for the motor vehicle charges resulting from the police chase.
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