Napa Valley hit man Thomas O’Donnell learns his fate for killing CHP captain lover’s husband
Thomas O'Donnell has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Michael Harding, the estranged husband of his lover, former CHP captain Julie Harding. The murder was part of a plot during the Hardings' contentious divorce, with O'Donnell luring Harding to a vacant home before fatally shooting him. The judge described the crime as one of the most heinous acts he had encountered in his 45 years of legal practice.
- ▪Thomas O'Donnell was convicted of murder in a chilling murder-for-hire scheme.
- ▪He was sentenced to life in prison by a Kentucky judge for the 2022 killing of Michael Harding.
- ▪Julie Harding was accused of recruiting O'Donnell to carry out the murder during her divorce proceedings.
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Metro Napa Valley hit man Thomas O’Donnell learns his fate for killing CHP captain lover’s husband By Zain Khan Published May 31, 2026, 12:31 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google A Napa Valley man convicted in a chilling murder-for-hire scheme with his lover has been sentenced to life behind bars. A Kentucky judge on Wednesday slapped Thomas O’Donnell with a life sentence for the 2022 killing of Michael Harding, whose estranged wife — former California Highway Patrol captain Julie Harding — was accused of recruiting O’Donnell to carry out the murder.
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