Man accused of killing Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter and his grandmother could face death penalty
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CLEVELAND (WJW) – A 24-year-old man accused of killing his grandmother and a Cleveland police officer is now indicted on aggravated murder charges and more.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury on Wednesday indicted Delawnte Hardy on several charges. He is accused of shooting his grandmother last month and officer Jamieson Ritter on July 4.
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He is officially charged with the following, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office:
Three counts of aggravated murder (which are death penalty-eligible)
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
Ritter was shot when officers tried to arrest Hardy, who was wanted by Garfield Heights police after allegedly shooting his grandmother.
Ritter was shot just before 1 a.m. in the 1500 block of East 80th Street, near Wade Park, on Thursday, July 4.
Hardy is also accused of stealing his grandmother’s gun then shooting her in the face on Friday, June 29, in Garfield Heights.
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The 63-year-old woman’s husband found her in the bedroom lying in a pool of blood, unresponsive and barely breathing, according to a police report obtained by FOX 8 News. The man told police Hardy was at the home earlier in the day.
The grandmother died earlier this week.
“In the course of a week, Delawnte Hardy caused unimaginable damage and grief to two families, our law enforcement community, and our entire region,” Prosecutor Michael O’Malley said in a statement. “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.”
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