Jose E. Ramos, who is charged with fatally shooting Tynel “Blue” Hardwick in October 2008 in Norwich, has turned down the state’s offer to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of up to 45 years in prison.

Ramos, 30, who is also known as “Kool-aid,” has been held in lieu of $2.1 million since 2012, when Norwich Police charged him with murder four years after he allegedly shot Hardwick, 29, outside Rumors Bar & Grill. He has pleaded not guilty.

At this morning’s appearance in New London Superior Court, Ramos rejected an offer from Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Lawrence J. Tytla to plead guilty to murder in exchange for a 45-year prison sentence. Had he accepted the offer, his attorney, Bruce B. McIntyre, would have had the right to argue for a shorter prison term at Ramos’ sentencing.

His case will be added to the trial list.

Norwich police alleged that Ramos retrieved a rifle from his nearby home after exchanging words with Hardwick inside the bar, then laid in wait on an embankment across the street and shot Hardwick in the back of the head from a distance of about 143 feet.