Kentucky Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Murder-for-Hire Case Linked to Sacramento HVAC Boss

Prosecutors had sought death penalty, but judge wants case to go to trial to determine full accountability.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty details of a criminal investigation.The rejected plea deal means the full scope of the alleged murder-for-hire plot will now be scrutinized in a Kentucky courtroom.Today in Sacramento

A Kentucky judge has refused to accept a plea deal in a murder-for-hire case connected to the killing of a Sacramento HVAC business owner, Michael Harding. The accused, Thomas O'Donnell, was prepared to plead guilty to conspiracy charges, but the judge said the case belongs in front of a jury to determine full accountability for Harding's death.

Why it matters

The judge's rejection of the plea deal means the high-profile case will now go to trial, where prosecutors will present evidence of an alleged multi-state murder-for-hire plot that claimed the life of a local small-business owner. This decision reopens questions about the motive and any potential co-conspirators in Harding's killing.

The details

Prosecutors say O'Donnell lured Harding to a vacant home in Kentucky under the pretense of an HVAC service call and shot him there. Court records show dozens of calls between O'Donnell and Harding's ex-wife, Julie Harding, in the months before the killing, as well as alleged bank withdrawals after her divorce filing. Just days after O'Donnell's arrest, Julie Harding was found dead in an apparent suicide.

  • In September 2022, Michael Harding was killed in Burkesville, Kentucky.
  • In December 2022, Thomas O'Donnell was arrested at Sacramento International Airport and later extradited to Kentucky.
  • Days after O'Donnell's arrest, Julie Harding was found dead outside the couple's Tennessee home in an apparent suicide.

The players

Thomas O'Donnell

The accused, a Napa man who was prepared to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in the murder-for-hire plot.

Michael Harding

The owner of a Sacramento HVAC business who was killed in Kentucky.

Julie Harding

The ex-wife of Michael Harding, who was found dead in an apparent suicide shortly after O'Donnell's arrest.

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What’s next

The case is now headed toward a trial in Cumberland County, Kentucky, where prosecutors will present evidence of the alleged murder-for-hire plot.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex and far-reaching nature of some criminal investigations, as authorities worked across multiple states to uncover the alleged conspiracy behind the killing of a local small-business owner. The judge's rejection of the plea deal means the full details of the case will now be aired in a public trial.