Woman found guilty of murdering university professor given custody of her children

Annette Harvey, a 54-year-old woman in Tennessee, has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of East Tennessee State University professor Robin Leonard. The incident occurred in 2021 when Leonard had been granted temporary custody of Harvey's children. After three hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Harvey of stabbing Leonard multiple times at her home, resulting in Leonard's death 11 days later. Harvey fled the scene but was later apprehended. 

Woman found guilty of first-degree murder in Tennessee

The court heard that prior to the killing, Leonard had been entrusted with temporary custody of Harvey's children while Harvey underwent a mental health evaluation. At one point, Leonard had to move the children to another home because Harvey had taken them, but the pastor declined to take them in. The police were called, and the children were returned to Leonard. During the trial, Harvey's attorney, Don Spurrell, argued that his client did not intend to kill Leonard and referenced her mental health issues.

Family's reaction and sentencing

Following the guilty verdict, Leonard's family expressed their gratitude to the prosecutors while honoring her memory. Speaking to reporters, Leonard's sister, Lara Leonard, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the district attorney's office in seeking justice for her sister. Despite the verdict, she acknowledged that it would never bring back her sister, but she recognized the hard work of everyone involved in the case. She also reflected on her sister's role as a caregiver during their childhood, stating that they felt compelled to stand up for her as a token of their love and loyalty.

Annette Harvey is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1 and has been fined $125,000. The case has garnered significant attention in Tennessee, and as the sentencing approaches, it continues to raise important discussions about mental health and its intersection with the criminal justice system.