Testimony begins as woman stands trial for her alleged role in shooting of Bradley officers

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) -- Testimony began Friday in the case of a woman accused of playing a role in the killing of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and the injury of another officer.

Xandria Harris' family was outside of the courthouse, coming to her defense.

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Court was still happening around 5 p.m., and a lot of family members from both sides were there.

It was a hostile start to opening statements on Friday as the prosecution accused the defense of violating a strict gag order in place by potentially discussing the case with others.

The prosecution started its opening statements by trying to paint that picture for the jury, alleging Harris' intent behind her actions seen on the bodycam footage they say will be shown in this trial.

That shooting on December 29, 2021, started with a hotel clerk at the Comfort Inn calling police about dogs being left in a vehicle in the lot during freezing temperatures outside.

Prosecutors say Rittmanic and Officer Tyler Bailey arrived at the hotel room where Harris and Darius Sullivan were in, knocking at least six times over 13 minutes and asking Harris to open the door.

The prosecution accused Harris of buying time for Sullivan to load his automatic weapon, which was then used to immediately fire shots at the officers as Harris opened the door. They also accuse her of helping Sullivan fight Rittmanic for her own weapon, which prosecutors say was then used to shoot the officer twice more, leading to her death.

The defense disputed that, trying to humanize Harris as a mother of four now who was "controlled and conditioned" by her boyfriend, Sullivan, after withstanding an abusive relationship.

Harris' attorney saying she should not be facing the same charges as Sullivan and hopes to prove there was not intent behind her actions or lack thereof in this shooting. Harris' mother, Gloria Harris-Boyd, spoke to ABC7 on Friday about the struggles of the last five years.

"They miss they mom. And it's very hard, because she's trying to do the best she can over the phone to, like, make sure they do their homework, calling them. It's very hard, because she has had no physical contact with them," she said.

ABC7 did not immediately have a chance to speak to the officers' families on Friday but will try to do so as the trial continues.

Sullivan was already convicted and is serving a mandatory life sentence for Rittmanic's death and another 80 years for Bailey's attempted murder.

At least three witnesses from the state testified on Friday, as this trial is now in the evidence phase. The hope is to wrap everything up in two weeks by Aug. 21.