IZARD COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The trial for Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and rapist who escaped from a north Arkansas prison earlier this year, has been pushed back until next year, according to court documents.

Hardin, 56, escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on May 25 and was found around two weeks later, about a mile and a half away from the prison.

While on the loose, Hardin was charged with one count of second-degree escape. He has pleaded not guilty.

Hardin's pretrial hearing was scheduled for Oct. 21, with his trial set to begin on Nov. 5.

An order filed on Oct. 14 by Izard County Circuit Judge Tim Weaver said the next hearing in the case would be scheduled for Dec. 11.

Hardin's trial has been rescheduled for February 18, 2026.

He was also facing a feder

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