ISP arrest suspect in bar altercation

Sullivan County, Ind - After a nearly week long investigation, Indiana State Police Detectives 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.

Accompanied by his attorney, James Gardner, 24, of Elnora, Indiana surrendered to Indiana State Police troopers at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday 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.

Sergeant Joe Watts, with the Indiana State Police says, "When it comes to law enforcement, a lot of people that had been through the law enforcement system or been through the criminal justice system or maybe prison or jail time don't necessarily like law enforcement. So yes we were made aware of it. Were using extra precaution in this particular incident but he turned himself in and it was a win-win for both sides."

On September 1, around 1:28 a.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 7:00 p.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.

News 10 will continue to follow this story