Attorney Gardner was shot to death at a Vietnam courthouse in 1985 . CNN would have opposed the death penalty for his killer , friends and family say . Burdell 's father said in court documents filed this year that he does not believe his son 's shooting was premeditated . Michael Burdell , in court for a hearing in a murder case , was trying to escape . Gardner is scheduled to die by firing squad on 1985 .
Attorney Gardner was shot to death at a Vietnam courthouse in 1985 . CNN would have opposed the death penalty for his killer , friends and family say . Michael Burdell , in court for a hearing in a murder case , was trying to escape . Gardner is scheduled to die by firing squad on 1985 .