A man who was convicted of first-degree murder, felony murder, especially aggravated robbery and more in Rutherford County has filed an appeal.
Ronallen Hardy is currently serving a prison sentence of life behind bars after a jury convicted him nearly 13 years ago.
The conviction came after Hardy and two accomplice’s went to the victims home to retrieve firearms and left after the victim was shot to death. However, Hardy claims he never went inside the house and that one of the accomplices with him admitted to shooting the victim because he was a “Snitch,” according to court documents.
The accomplice who allegedly told Hardy he shot the victim was Aldrick “Scoot” Lillard, who was also convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Hardy appealed in his case suggesting one of his lawyers failed to adequately communicate with him. That same lawyer withdrew prior to trial and Hardy says another lawyer failed to call witnesses. The post-conviction court denied relief and his appeal was denied.
In 2015, a television documentary focused on his case and four years later Hardy filed another appeal citing new evidence. The courts again denied the appeal and said that the information televised in the documentary was not newly discovered. Soon after, another appeal was filed for post-conviction relief. On August 28, 2020, that appeal was also denied by the Court of Criminal Appeals of Tennessee.
Hardy will remain in prison for life. He is currently 33 years old.
