A retired California Highway Patrol captain exhibited unusual behavior leading up to the fatal shooting of her husband, a court heard during the trial of an alleged hitman. Testimony from retired sergeant Brian Wittmer revealed details about Capt. Julie Harding’s conduct in the months preceding the murder.
Wittmer, a former colleague of Harding’s, testified Wednesday in a Kentucky courtroom that Harding’s demeanor changed significantly during the final years of their roughly three-and-a-half-year professional relationship. He described Harding as having lost weight and acting erratically, as well as becoming more open about her personal life than previously observed.
According to Wittmer, Harding confided that she was involved in a romantic relationship with someone from Napa, California. She also made various accusations against her husband, Michael Harding. Despite these revelations, Wittmer expressed skepticism about her sincerity, recounting an incident when she called him in distress, claiming she had discovered her husband dead.
Michael Harding was shot and killed in Napa last year. The person accused of carrying out the killing, Thomas O’Donnell, is currently on trial in Kentucky. Authorities allege that O’Donnell acted as a hitman hired by Julie Harding to carry out the murder.
Adding complexity to the case, Julie Harding died by suicide in Tennessee earlier this year. Her death has left many questions unresolved as investigators and the court examine the circumstances leading up to Michael Harding’s killing.
The trial continues to delve into the personal dynamics and alleged arrangements surrounding the case, exploring the motivations behind the crime and Harding’s role in orchestrating the event. Prosecutors argue the evidence points to a premeditated murder-for-hire, while defense attorneys have yet to comment extensively on Wittmer’s testimony.