In a verdict reached on November 21, 2023, a Denton County jury has found 39-year-old Jay Rotter guilty of the offense of Murder for fatally shooting his girlfriend. Following the conviction, the same jury has sentenced Rotter to 30 years in prison. The prosecution of the case for the State of Texas was led by Assistant District Attorneys Michael Graves and Sarah Wood.
The Denton Police Department conducted the investigation into the tragic incident that occurred in 2020, where Rotter, a former Tarrant County deputy, fatally shot his girlfriend, 46-year-old Leslie Hartman, in their Denton home. Detectives Rodney Mooneyham, David Bearden, and Thomas Potts played crucial roles in unraveling the details surrounding the case.
Acknowledgment goes to DA Investigator Mike Sparby and Victim Intervention Specialist Kizzy Thomas for their valuable assistance throughout the legal proceedings.
