(WatchDogReport.org) – A prominent Alabama judge has been seriously injured in a shooting at his home. Montgomery County Circuit Judge Johnny Hardwick, who presides over the state’s Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the face and neck and shot in the face by his adult son, who was taken into custody. Khalfani Hardwick, 36, fled the scene after the altercation and was arrested by police. When deputies arrived, they found his car on Trotman Road before locating him shortly afterward on U.S. 231. The suspect is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility without bail.
In 2017, Khalfani pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree assault relating to a 2014 shooting of a man after initially being charged with attempted murder. Court documents claimed that he left the man for dead after shooting him in the back of the head. After being handed a suspended three-year sentence with three years of probation, Khalfani petitioned for an early release, having served only 19 months of probation.
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles states that he graduated in accounting from Alabama State University with a degree while on probation and received a job offer. Khalfani required early dismissal because remaining on probation would not allow him to be seated in a CPA certification class. After it was decided that he would need to serve at least 24 months before early dismissal was considered, he was granted a 2019 release by Montgomery County Circuit Judge John E. Rochester.
Montgomery County online jail records state that the judge’s son was charged with first-degree domestic violence in the form of assault and with possessing an illegal pistol. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the news. He recognized Hardwick’s devotion to the community and hard work in spearheading reforms to make the court system fairer and more equitable. The judge worked to eliminate bond restrictions for non-violent offenses. Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham and County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton said they were praying for the judge, who remains in critical condition. No further updates on his health have been released at the time of this writing.
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