Khalfani Hardwick: Alabama judge's son faces attempted murder charge after stabbing and shooting father
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA: Khalfani Hardwick, the convicted son of Alabama Judge Johnny Hardwick, is facing charges of attempted murder for allegedly stabbing and shooting his father.
Initially charged with first-degree domestic violence and firearm possession violations, the 36-year-old appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday, February 27.
However, prosecutors elevated the charges to attempted murder following the presentation of evidence, according to WSFA.
Khalfani Hardwick reportedly fled the scene
The disturbing incident unfolded inside the Montgomery home of Judge Hardwick, the presiding judge of Montgomery County’s 15th Judicial Circuit. Khalfani is accused of stabbing and shooting his father before fleeing the scene, according to court records cited by AL.com.
The current condition of the elder Hardwick is not immediately known. Khalfani faced challenges in securing legal representation, with circuit judges recusing themselves due to familial ties.
Eventually, a judge from the 19th Judicial Circuit took over his case and granted him legal representation.
Montgomery County DA Daryl Bailey expressed, “We’re going to handle this case like we would any other case, especially, a case of this type of violent nature. We’re going to pursue it and do what we normally do."
Khalfani Hardwick's previous assault conviction
Police located Khalfani's abandoned vehicle on Trotman Road, leading to his apprehension on US 231. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of second-degree assault in a previous shooting incident where he left a man for dead in 2014, cited by AL.com.
He received a suspended sentence with probation and sought early release after 19 months. Despite objections from the state Attorney General’s Office, Khalfani was granted early release in 2019.
Currently, he remains in jail as legal proceedings progress, with a bond set at $15,000.
Judge Hardwick, who served on the 15th Judicial Circuit since 2001, was named the president of the Alabama Association of Circuit Court Judges in August.
The 1973 graduate of Alabama State University played a significant role in his college's 50-year reunion, contributing over $250,000 to the alma mater.
