Woman Indicted On Charges Of Stabbing Her Brother To Death: NCDA

HEMPSTEAD, NY — A Poughkeepsie woman was indicted today on charges of stabbing her brother to death during Thanksgiving dinner last year.

Veronica Hardwick, 51, was arraigned on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. She pleaded not guilty, and was remanded into custody. She is due back in court on March 2.

If convicted, she could face 25 years to life in prison.

“Thanksgiving dinner became the tragic backdrop for extreme family violence when this defendant allegedly stabbed her brother in the chest during an argument, killing him,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “The victim, Richard Reshard, died two weeks later from his injuries. Our thoughts are with his family as they grieve this unimaginable loss.”

According to Donnelly, Hardwick visited her mother and brother's in Hempstead on Nov. 25, 2021 for Thanksgiving. While arguing with her brother that evening, Donnelly said Hardwick picked up a large knife and threatened him with it. The two continued to argue, and Hardwick stabbed her brother in the chest with the knife, Donnelly said.

The wound punctured one of Reshard's arteries. He was taken to Nassau University Medical Center, where he died on Dec. 7.

Hardwick was arrested on Dec. 1.