CLEVELAND — The case against Delawnte Hardy, the man accused of killing Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter and his grandmother last year, remains stalled as questions over his mental competency dominate the courtroom.
Hardy, 24, has been ruled incompetent to stand trial and is being held at a state mental health facility for treatment. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are now sparring over whether the clock for his restoration period should continue to run, given that Hardy refused medication for months after his arrest.
Prosecutors Push for Extension
Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Kevin Filiatraut has filed a motion asking the judge to hold a hearing that would clarify when the statutory one-year restoration period should expire. Prosecutors argue that because Hardy deliberately refused treatment that would have restored him to competency, that time should not count toward the one-year limit.
Court filings point out that Hardy had previously undergone outpatient treatment that restored him to competency in a 2023 misdemeanor trespassing case. Prosecutors argue he knew medication would make him competent, yet still resisted treatment after his arrest in the Ritter case. Only after the court approved forced medication did Hardy begin to comply, reportedly telling staff, “I guess I have to take it now.”
Defense Pushes Back
Hardy’s attorney, Cullen Sweeney, the county’s chief public defender, opposes the prosecution’s request. In his filing, Sweeney cites Ohio Supreme Court precedent, noting that criminal proceedings must be paused while a defendant is under a competency restoration order. He maintains that Hardy has a right to be present at any hearing and that the law clearly halts prosecution until competency is restored.
Forced Medication Ordered
Earlier this year, a Cuyahoga County judge approved forced medication after doctors testified Hardy was unlikely to regain competency without it. Medical experts told the court that if Hardy consistently takes the prescribed treatment, he could eventually be deemed fit for trial.
Background of the Case
The fatal chain of events began in July 2024 when police attempted to arrest Hardy after he allegedly shot his grandmother, who later died from her injuries. During the response, Officer Ritter, 27, was shot and killed. Hardy was taken into custody hours later.
Hardy’s path through the legal system has drawn scrutiny. Just months before the shooting, he had been found incompetent in a misdemeanor case but was eventually restored through outpatient care. Critics, including Ritter’s family, say gaps in monitoring his mental health allowed him to fall through the cracks.
Ritter’s parents, Jon and Karen Ritter, have publicly said they believe their son’s death could have been prevented. “Somebody chose to disrespect my son, run from authority, and kill my son. He was murdered,” Karen Ritter told reporters.
What’s Next
Hardy faces aggravated murder charges, but no trial date can be set until he is restored to competency. The judge is expected to rule soon on whether to hold a hearing to decide how much time remains in Hardy’s restoration period.
Until then, the case remains in limbo, a source of continued frustration for both Ritter’s family and the community.