CLEVELAND — De'Lawnte Hardy -- the 25-year-old man who allegedly shot and killed Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter in addition to facing accusations in the murder of his own grandmother, Beatrice Porter -- has been referred to the court psychiatric clinic for a competency evaluation.
That order came Thursday during a pretrial hearing in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court where Judge Ashley Kilbane is presiding over the case.
Hardy was indicted last month by a grand jury on the following charges:
- 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
His bond of $10 million was later revoked following a motion by prosecutors.
CASE DETAILS
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.
Days later, it was around 1 a.m. on July 4 when Cleveland police responded to a call about Hardy being at a residence near East 80th Street and Wade Park Avenue.
When officers 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.
In a previously released statement, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley said Hardy "caused unimaginable damage and grief to two families, our law enforcement community and our entire region" in the course of a week.
REMEMBERING OFFICER RITTER
A memorial service for officer Ritter was held in Cleveland on July 8.
"Today we gather to honor a true American hero, officer Jamieson Ritter," said Cleveland Division of Police Chief Annie Todd. "Jamieson was a dedicated public servant, a loving family member, a cherished friend. He served our community with unwavering commitment and courage, embodying the highest ideals of law enforcement. In his years of service, Jamieson demonstrated what it means to truly be dedicated to the safety and well-being of others. His bravery in the face of danger of not only protecting our city, but also protecting our country during his service and deployment with the Ohio Army National Guard. His compassion for those in need, and his relentless pursuit of justice were evident in every action he took. He was not just an officer, he was a guardian of our community, a beacon of hope and a symbol of strength. As his dad, Jon, said to me, he received his paycheck from the city, but he worked for our citizens.”
You can watch the full memorial service for officer Ritter in the video below: