CLEVELAND — Bond has been revoked for De’Lawnte Hardy -- the 24-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter in addition to the murder of his own grandmother, Beatrice Porter.
The decision to revoke the $10 million bond on Hardy was announced by Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Ashley Kilbane during a pretrial hearing on Wednesday following a motion by prosecutors.
Hardy's attorneys did not object to their client being remanded to jail. They stated that they plan to file a motion for a mental evaluation of Hardy.
The next hearing for Hardy has been scheduled for Aug. 22.
The $10 million bond was given to Hardy during an arraignment on July 15 in which he pleaded not guilty to the below list of charges after being indicted by a grand jury:
- Three counts of aggravated murder
- Two counts of attempted aggravated murder
- One count of murder
- Four counts of felonious assault
- Two counts of aggravated robbery
- Two counts of receiving stolen property
- One count of having weapons while under disability
- One count of theft
- One count of resisting arrest
- One count of misdemeanor theft
In the indictment, the state says it reserves the right to potentially seek the death penalty against Hardy at a later date.
"In the course of a week, Delawnte Hardy caused unimaginable damage and grief to two families, our law enforcement community, and our entire region," said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley after the indictment was announced. "My office will walk step by step with these two families to ensure justice is served. My thoughts and prayers remain with those grieving from this tragic situation."
TIMELINE OF THE CASE
The accusations against Hardy began on June 28 when he was staying with Porter -- his grandmother -- at her residence near Reindeer Avenue and Claremont Boulevard in Garfield Heights.
“While inside her residence, he stole her firearm and shot her in the back of the head,” according to the prosecutor’s office. “Afterward, he fled the scene on his grandfather’s bicycle. A family member arrived at the residence the next morning around 1 a.m., found the victim, and called the police.”
Porter was taken to the hospital and a felonious assault warrant was issued for Hardy’s arrest.
On July 4, Cleveland police officers were called to the 1500 block of East 80th Street amid a report that Hardy was present.
When officers, including Jamieson Ritter, arrived at the scene, they placed a spotlight on the residence.
“During the next couple minutes, officer Ritter instructed Hardy six times over a loudspeaker to exit the residence out the front door with his hands up,” according to the prosecutor’s office. “Hardy then began to flee out the back door of the residence on his grandfather’s bicycle with two swords and the firearm he stole from his grandmother.”
Several officers then attempted to arrest him.
“During the struggle, Hardy fired four shots at multiple officers,” according to the prosecutor’s office. “The first shot struck officer Ritter, the second shot nearly missed another officer and the third shot was in the direction of two other officers.”
Officer Ritter was taken to the hospital where he died a short time later. Hardy’s grandmother died hours later that same day around noon.
Hardy was arrested at the scene.
3News' Ryan Haidet contributed to this report
Previous Reporting:
- Bond set at $10 million for De'Lawnte Hardy: Man accused of killing Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter and his own grandmother in separate shootings
- Fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter remembered as a 'hero' at funeral in his hometown
- Grand jury indicts De'Lawnte Hardy for murdering Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter as well as grandmother
- 'You will never be forgotten': Memorial service honors fallen Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter
Want to be among the first to know the most important local and national news? The latest sports updates? We've got you covered! You can download the free WKYC app and get the latest updates sent to your phone: Android, Apple.