District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced the enhanced sentencing of a three-time convicted felon who escaped custody from authorities shortly after the conclusion of his trial for a previous escape.
Kennth Hardy, 34, of Natchitoches, was convicted for simple escape in April. He was sentenced to five years at hard labor. Upon the conclusion of the trial, Hardy briefly escaped authorities while being transported back to the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. He was quickly recaptured and charged again with simple escape.
As a result of the conviction, the District Attorney’s Office filed a habitual offender bill of information alleging that Hardy was a three-time convicted felon, seeking to enhance his sentence. A hearing was held on Feb. 21 in the 10th Judicial District Court on the habitual offender motion. Judge Desiree Dyess sentenced Hardy to 20 years at hard labor. A trial date of May 13 has been set for the second escape charge. First Assistant District Attorney Cloyd Benjamin, Jr. prosecuted the case.
