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Name:
Hardnett, Marquise Deshawn
Date of Booking:
04/12/2026
Reason(s) For Booking:
WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
OPEN CONTAINER IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE IN OPERATION
OPEN CONTAINER IN PASSENGER AREA OF VEHICLE IN OPERATION
OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORIZED PERSON DIRECTING TRAFFIC
HIT AND RUN; DUTY OF DRIVER TO STOP AT OR RETURN TO SCENE OT
FLEEING/ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE OFFICER
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On April 12, 2026, I was assisting H.E.A.T. on a road check. I was assisting D/S McCusker on a vehicle search when I heard D/S Wallis yell “He is taking off”. When I looked back I saw D/S Wallis standing in the roadway and a Red Hyundai Accent, GA tag [REDACTED], sedan accelerating away northbound on Highway 29 (Greenville St). I ran to my vehicle and activated my blue lights and sirens.
As I was catching up to the vehicle there was a bridge where I briefly lost sight of the vehicle. As I came over the bridge I observed the vehicle have enough distance on me that was consistent with a vehicle rapidly accelerating at a high rate of speed and fleeing from law enforcement. The vehicle attempted to make a left onto Corinth Rd but was traveling too fast to safely make the left turn. The vehicle locked his brakes, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed in a ditch and into a fence.
As soon as the vehicle came to a rest and I was coming to a stop, a male, later Identified as Marquis Hardnett, was climbing out of the driver side window and began running away from the accident scene. I exited my vehicle and began to give chase to the male. I activated my taser and deployed it twice and striking the male. The male tripped and got back up and continued running for the treeline. I lunged toward the male and tackled him to the ground.
As we were going to the ground I felt an immediate pain on the left side of my head and a sharp pain on my lip. When we landed on the ground I used my left arm and grabbed his left arm and he rolled to his side to try to get back up. With not knowing what hit me I delivered two strikes with my right hand (due to my left hand being used to prevent him from running away) to the left side of his face. I was also holding my taser in my right hand which was struck the side of his face. After the strike to the face he rolled over onto his stomach.
Sgt. Thompson arrived at this time and I threw my taser off to the side due to not being able to holster it while fighting with Marquis. Sgt. Thompson grabbed Marquis’s left arm and as I grabbed his right arm I noticed he was laying on it and his hand was in his waistband. I attempted to pull his arm out from underneath him due to not knowing what he was reaching for as this is a common area to carry firearms. I attempted to pull his arm out but Marquis continued to not allow me to pull his arm out. We gave multiple verbal commands to pull his arm out and eventually we were able to pull his arm out from underneath him and safely take him into custody.
I search of the vehicle was conducted and an open can of Michelob ultra beer was located in the driver door, a thermos which was mostly empty but contained a small amount of Tequila, and two cold unopened containers of an alcoholic beverage was in the front passenger seat. While taking Marquis into custody a strong odor of alcoholic beverage was coming from his breath.
D/S Wallis advised me that when he made contact with Marquis he smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and when he directed Marquis to pull over to the secondary stop location is when Marquis accelerated away and began to flee law enforcement.
Marquise was charged with Felony Fleeing, Hit and Run, Open Container x2, Obediance to Obey Authorized Person Directing Traffic, and Obstruction.
GSP responded and worked the accident. Marquise was transported to the hospital for medical clearance and then to Coweta County Jail where he was turned over to jail staff. Marquise had minor scratches on his fist and elbow. Pictures were taken by Sgt. Gorringe. I received a bloody lip, scratched left chin, and a headache. Pictures were also taken of my injuries. GSP responded and worked the accident, case #C001060574.
[End of Narrative]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
4/12/26
MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT ARRESTED AND BOOKED IN COWETA COUNTY
What this means: Marquise Deshawn Hardnett was booked into custody in Coweta County on this date. At the time of booking, the defendant was facing charges including willful obstruction of law enforcement officers, two counts of open container in a passenger area of a vehicle in operation, failure to obey an authorized person directing traffic, hit and run, and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. An arrest means law enforcement took the defendant into custody — it is not a finding of guilt. Marquise Deshawn Hardnett is presumed innocent of all charges.
5/1/26
COMMITMENT HEARING HELD
What this means: A commitment hearing was held in Coweta Superior Court for Marquise Deshawn Hardnett. A commitment hearing is a proceeding where a judge reviews the charges and determines whether there is enough basis to move the case forward and also addresses bond. Based on the hearing document, the judge found that the defendant’s right to a commitment hearing had been waived. The court denied bond. Marquise Deshawn Hardnett is accused of the charges in this case and is presumed innocent.
5/14/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 3 COUNTS FILED AGAINST MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT
What this means: A Coweta County grand jury formally indicted Marquise Deshawn Hardnett during the March 2026 Term, May 2026 Session, under Docket No. 2026CR599 in Coweta Superior Court. The indictment was returned as a true bill on May 14, 2026, and filed with the clerk’s office at 2:48 PM on May 14, 2026. District Attorney John Herbert Crawford, Jr. of the Coweta Judicial Circuit is handling the case. A grand jury indictment means a group of citizens reviewed the evidence and found probable cause to formally charge the defendant — it is not a conviction.
Count 1 accuses Marquise Deshawn Hardnett of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-395(a).
Count 2 accuses Marquise Deshawn Hardnett of obstruction of an officer, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-10-24(b).
Count 3 accuses Marquise Deshawn Hardnett of open container, in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-253.
7/23/26
DEFENSE DISCOVERY NOTICE FILED FOR MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT
What this means: The defense filed a discovery notice on behalf of Marquise Deshawn Hardnett in Coweta Superior Court. A discovery notice is a formal request for the prosecution to provide evidence and information related to the charges. This is a standard procedural step that allows the defense to review what evidence the state has gathered so they can prepare their case.
7/23/26
CONSOLIDATED MOTIONS FILED FOR MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT
What this means: The defense filed consolidated motions on behalf of Marquise Deshawn Hardnett. Consolidated motions combine multiple legal requests into a single filing. Without seeing the specific motions, these could address issues like suppression of evidence, dismissal of charges, or other pretrial matters. The judge will review and rule on these motions as the case proceeds.
7/23/26
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE FILED FOR MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT
What this means: A certificate of service was filed in the case of Marquise Deshawn Hardnett. A certificate of service is a legal document that confirms the defense has provided copies of their filings to the prosecution and the court. It is a procedural requirement that ensures all parties have been notified of the defense’s actions.
8/5/26
ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT
What this means: Marquise Deshawn Hardnett is scheduled to appear for arraignment in Coweta Superior Court at 9:00 AM. An arraignment is a court hearing where the defendant is formally read the charges against them and enters a plea — typically guilty, not guilty, or no contest. This is a standard next step following an indictment.
8/5/26
MARQUISE DESHAWN HARDNETT PLEADS GUILTY — SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS WITH 2 TO SERVE
What this means: Marquise Deshawn Hardnett entered a negotiated guilty plea on all three counts in Coweta Superior Court under Criminal Action No. 2026R000599, March Term of 2026. The plea was non-jury. The court entered a final disposition of felony with probation.
On Count 1 — Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer — Hardnett pled guilty and was sentenced to 2 years to serve in confinement, with a $5,000 fine.
On Count 2 — Obstruction of an Officer — Hardnett pled guilty and was sentenced to 5 years probation, to run consecutive to Count 1.
On Count 3 — Open Container — Hardnett pled guilty and was sentenced to 12 months probation, to run concurrent with Count 2.
The total sentence is 7 years, with the first 2 years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation. Hardnett is to receive credit for time served in custody beginning 4/12/26. Upon completion of the 2-year confinement, the remainder of the sentence may be served on probation provided Hardnett complies with all conditions of probation imposed by the court.