CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has found a man accused of killing a Cleveland police officer is now suspected of taking illegal drugs in a mental health treatment center.
Yet, Delawnte Hardy is still not mentally competent to stand trial.
Hardy faces charges for killing Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter. Investigators said he also killed his grandmother.
The new developments come to light as the clock is ticking toward a deadline to get justice for both victims.
Cuyahoga County prosecutors said a new report issued to the court this week shows Hardy remains incompetent for trial.
This has prosecutors worried about getting Hardy restored to competency within a one-year time limit.
Months ago, prosecutors learned Hardy had refused to take medicine in a mental health facility. Now, they said he is suspected of somehow taking illegal drugs there.
That leaves investigators outraged and alarmed.
“It’s troubling any drugs can get into any facility, a hospital or a jail,” Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said.
“It’s just not right. Criminal defendants are not supposed to sabotage the public’s opportunity to have a fair trial,” assistant county prosecutor Kevin Filiatraut said.
Meanwhile, Ritter’s family waits for justice.
Last year on July 4, Cleveland police said Hardy shot and killed Ritter as police tried to arrest Hardy on a warrant.
Just weeks ago, the family marked the anniversary of the loss of Ritter, saying, “time will not heal this wound,” and, “I don’t even know how people can begin to think time’s going to heal the fact your child was murdered.”
At a hearing Tuesday, we heard all kinds of questions about what’s been going on in the mental health facility, including concern about what happens next.
Even Judge Ashley Kilbane had many questions.
Again, prosecutors told us the law says there’s a one-year time limit to get someone facing charges like this restored to competency. That date in this case is Oct. 22.
Last year, the I-Team revealed that Hardy had slipped through the court before, in another case, even while talking nonsense. Records show a city judge wasn’t clear on what mental health treatment Hardy had been getting at that time, and those charges were dropped.
“We’re not even close to that. That is the crucial question right now,” Filiatraut said.
“We want him restored. We want him brought to trial,” O’Malley also said.
Prosecutors maintain they are determined to have Hardy face his charges.
Defense lawyers argued on Tuesday that Hardy has rights to a fair process.
But, prosecutors suggest Hardy is playing the system in order to beat the charges without standing trial.
Another hearing will likely be held next week with the clock still ticking.
Behind all this, Ritter’s family has started a foundation in his honor to carry out good works in his name.
Ed Gallek
Source link