A Napa man pleaded not guilty to the murder of a California Highway Patrol commander’s estranged husband, and newly released court documents revealed more details of the tangled case.

Julie Harding (California Highway Patrol)

Thomas O’Donnell, 61, was arraigned Thursday in Kentucky’s Cumberland County on charges related to the fatal shooting last year of Michael Harding.

Two days after O’Donnell’s arrest last month in Sacramento, Harding’s wife — CHP commander Julie Harding, 49 — was found fatally shot outside a home she and her husband owned in Celina, Tenn. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has not officially declared the death a homicide or suicide, but authorities said foul play is not believed to have been involved.

The Hardings had reportedly intended to retire in Tennessee, but their marriage fell apart and they were in the process of divorcing. At the time of her death, Julie Harding was on injury leave from her post as commander for the CHP’s Yuba-Sutter area.

The timeline of the case, as detailed in court documents and previous news reports:

Sept. 20, 2022: Michael Harding, 53, who had been living in Celina, was reported missing to authorities there.

Sept. 26: Michael Harding was found fatally shot in a home in Burkesville, Kentucky, about a 20-mile drive from Celina. The indictment said he is believed to have been killed on Sept. 19.

October: A woman in Murfreesboro, Tenn., who said she had been Michael Harding’s girlfriend filed two police reports accusing Julie Harding of harassing her.  Among other things, the woman said, Julie Harding accessed her Netflix account and changed the profile names and pictures.

Dec. 8: Julie Harding was arrested on suspicion of stalking and burglary, the latter charge alleging that she took from the Murfreesboro woman’s home a dog who had belonged to Michael Harding.

Dec. 8: O’Donnell was arrested at Sacramento International Airport on suspicion of Michael Harding’s murder.

Dec. 9: Julie Harding was released from custody.

Dec. 10: A mail carrier found Julie Harding fatally shot on the driveway of the Celina home.

Dec. 22: O’Donnell was extradited to Kentucky and jailed on $1 million bond.

O’Donnell’s next court appearance is set for March.

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