I-Team: Prosecutors demand court hand over mental health records of man accused of killing officer Jamieson Ritter

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered a push to shed new light on the mental state of the man accused of killing a Cleveland police officer.

Cleveland Municipal Court has been ordered to hand over records about the mental health of Delawnte Hardy, accused of killing Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter.

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Hardy faces a long list of charges after getting indicted for killing his grandmother and officer Ritter. Police said he shot the officer July 4.

Months ago, a Cleveland Municipal Court judge found Hardy incompetent to stand trial in another case, which included charges of resisting arrest.

The court noted “illogical thoughts.”

Now, Hardy is indicted for two murders.

Cuyahoga County prosecutors have demanded all of the municipal court’s mental health records on Hardy.

We revisited a question we recently asked Case Western Reserve University School of Law Professor Michael Benza.

We asked, “How can a guy not be competent? At the same time, he’s running from police and allegedly killing an officer?”

Benza said, “Competency is a focus on ‘What does the defendant’s mental state allow him to process now?’ Whereas, outside of the courtroom, he may be somewhat functioning, but still cannot be competent when it comes to the court proceedings.”

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A county judge ordered the municipal court to turn over its records.

Those records could play a role in determining if Hardy stands trial in this case and if prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty.

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