I-Team: Alleged killer of Cleveland officer Jamieson Ritter has violent incident in jail
CLEVELAND (WJW) — Video released to the FOX 8 I-Team shows an accused cop killer going wild behind bars inside the Cuyahoga County jail.
This comes with a new spotlight on the mental health of the man charged with killing Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter.
The video shows Delawnte Hardy locked up, but out of control.
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He could face new charges for what happened in jail. Also, a new order for a mental health exam could affect his case.
In one video clip, you see Hardy get to leave his cell to take a shower, but he takes off running.
You then see corrections officers and sheriff’s deputies chase down Hardy, but he puts up a furious fight. The struggle goes on for a few minutes and guards have to use pepper spray to gain control.
On July 4, Cleveland police said Hardy put up a struggle, and shot and killed officer Ritter. That night, police had tried to arrest Hardy for shooting his grandmother.
Now, he sits in jail for killing his grandmother and the officer.
In the meantime, the video shows Hardy getting violent again.
We found more trouble for Hardy in jail.
Investigators said just this week, Hardy kicked out the window of his cell.
Now, Cuyahoga County prosecutors have sent Hardy to the Court Psychiatric Clinic for a mental health evaluation. The results could become a big factor in the push for justice for Hardy’s grandmother and officer Ritter.
The focus on this suspect’s mental health began long before all of this.
Months ago, Cleveland Municipal Court declared Hardy incompetent to stand trial in a case including charges of resisting arrest. Court records show Hardy had “illogical thoughts” and a “lack of comprehension.”
A relative told us Hardy had an appointment for mental health services on the day he is suspected of killing his grandmother.
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In jail, the county has held Hardy in a cell by himself in a mental health unit. Yet, video shows it took a crowd of officers struggling and using pepper spray to take control.
Now, Hardy could face more criminal charges for what happened in the jail.
The new psychiatric exam could determine if he’s competent to stand trial for the murders. It could also determine whether or not prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty.
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