Former Bradley officer seriously injured in shooting that killed partner testifies in trial
Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic killed in 2021 hotel shooting
KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) -- A former Bradley police officer seriously injured in a shooting that killed his partner testified Tuesday in the murder trial for one of the suspects charged in the incident.
In December 2021, Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, 49, and then-Officer Tyler Bailey were shot after approaching a man who was wanted on a warrant for his arrest.
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Prosecutors allege Darius Sullivan shot the officers as they confronted him at his hotel room door.
Sullivan and his girlfriend, Xandria Harris, are charged with murder and attempted murder.
The couple was allegedly in the hotel room with their three young children. Sullivan is also charged with endangering the lives of children. Harris will be tried separately.
Rittmanic and Bailey had been called to the Comfort Inn off Route 50 that night for a report of dogs barking, left in a car on a cold night outside the hotel. Once there, they discovered Sullivan, who was staying at the hotel, had a warrant out for his arrest.
Kankakee County State's Attorney Jim Rowe told jurors they would see video from police body cameras and hear Rittmanic's last words.
Sullivan's defense attorney told jurors the videos don't tell the whole story, and that Sullivan was defending his family that night, thinking someone was breaking into his hotel room.
Bailey was seriously injured but survived. Rittmanic was honored by officers and civilians at her funeral and was buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Jurors heard from Rittmanic's sister, who tearfully identified her and testified she saw her two days before Christmas that year.
A hotel front desk worker testified that a colleague called 911 about the dogs left in the car, and, after two officers arrived, hearing shots. She said she called 911 and then the staff went into lockdown.
Jurors saw video from the hotel hallway, which shows some confrontation, then someone on the ground and someone running.
"I was able to see movement in the hallway and eventually a male walk to the elevator who wasn't an officer," former hotel worker Stephanie Skraeutenas said.
Officer Bailey testified briefly Tuesday.
He confirmed he worked with Bradley police and was involved in the 2021 incident.
He said he's been confined to a wheelchair since the shooting, and needs constant care.
Bailey has retired from the force.
Harris refused to testify Monday.
She also refused to testify earlier this month.
The state's attorney offered Harris a form of immunity to testify in Sullivan's trial, so her testimony could not be used against her in her own trial.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
