ETSU professor’s killer gets life sentence

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The woman convicted in the 2021 stabbing death of an East Tennessee State University professor received a life sentence Wednesday.

Annette Harvey appeared in Washington County court Wednesday afternoon.

A jury found Harvey guilty of the premeditated first-degree murder of Robin Leonard in February following a five-day trial . Harvey was also found guilty of the commission of a felony and especially aggravated burglary.

Judge Lisa Rice sentenced Harvey to serve a life sentence plus 10 years on the especially aggravated burglary charge. Those sentences will be served concurrently.

Leonard, a professor in ETSU’s Department of Psychology , was found with numerous stab wounds on Jan. 18, 2021. Leonard died 11 days later due to her injuries.

Rice said while Harvey did appear to act erratically in Leonard’s death, evidence showed she also acted with forethought and mediation by planning to take a knife to Leonard’s home.

“She deserves to spend every day of her life in prison for the violent and vicious attack on Ms. Leonard,” Rice said.

Leonard’s family members were in the courtroom Wednesday. Her son, sisters and cousin all spoke during Harvey’s sentencing hearing and expressed their grief at her death.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.