“Cleveland Officer Murder Suspect Found Incompetent for Trial – I-Team Investigation”
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The FOX 8 I-Team has confirmed that Delwante Hardy, the defendant accused of killing Cleveland police officer Jamieson Ritter, has been declared incompetent to stand trial. A judge issued this ruling on Thursday, ordering Hardy to be placed in an inpatient treatment facility. Officials believe that with proper treatment, Hardy may be restored to competency.
Hardy faces charges for the fatal shooting of Officer Ritter on July 4 and is also accused of murdering his own grandmother. Last month, the I-Team obtained video footage of Hardy attempting to escape from the Cuyahoga County jail.
The court allows time for suspects deemed incompetent to receive treatment with the aim of becoming mentally fit to stand trial.
Murder Suspect in North Olmsted Case Also Declared Incompetent
In related news, the I-Team was the first to report that another murder suspect, Bionca Ellis, has been ruled incompetent to stand trial for the murder of a child. Ellis is charged with attacking 3-year-old Julian Wood and his mother outside a grocery store in North Olmsted in June. Police allege that Ellis fatally stabbed the child.
The Cuyahoga County court docket indicates that Ellis’s case is currently on hold. Ellis was referred to North Coast Behavioral Health for a 20-day evaluation, during which a doctor determined that she is incompetent to stand trial. The confidential report also notes that there is a substantial probability of restoration to competency within the statutory time frame if Ellis receives appropriate treatment.
As part of the court’s order, Ellis will remain in the mental health facility and is required to cooperate with all prescribed medications.
