KANKAKEE, Ill. – A prosecutor will request the Justice Department of the U.S. to review the case that involved the shooting of two police officers at a hotel in northern Illinois with the aim of pursuing death penalty charges on Monday.
“Illinois is not a death penalty state, but the U.S. Attorney General can authorize the filing of a petition to seek the death penalty in a federal murder case under certain circumstances,” said Jim Rowe, Kankakee County State’s Attorney during the court trial for 26-year-old Xandria Harris in Kankakee County Circuit Court.
“I will be submitting an official request to the U.S. Attorney General for the Central District of Illinois and to the U.S. Attorney General to review the first-degree murder case pending against Darius Sullivan and Xandria Harris for federal murder charges, and pursue a federal sentence of death against both defendants,” said Rowe in front of the court
Harris and Sullivan are charged with the shooting of 49-year-old Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, and injuring her colleague 27 year-old Officer Tyler Bailey, late Wed.
“In a multi-jurisdictional effort, two alleged cop killers have been taken into custody today and will now face justice,” said Brendan Kelly, Illinois State Police Director, in a press release.
Tyler Bailey is currently admitted to a hospital in Chicago.
The state’s Attorney will pursue life sentences for both the defendants as the current state-level charges advance, said Rowe.
Meanwhile, Kathy Bradshaw Elliott, the court’s judge, denied the request to grant Harris bail.
“You are a real threat to the community,” said the judge to Harris.
According to the police’s statement, Sullivan, 25, from Bourbonnais, got arrested in North Manchester, Indiana, on Friday.
The case is scheduled to appear in front of the Kankakee County grand jury on January 22. Another court hearing is scheduled for Harris on January 27.
Meanwhile, in Wabash, Indiana, Sullivan is battling extradition to Illinois. As per Rowe’s statement, he will request Indiana’s governor to grant permission to bring Sullivan to Kankakee County.
“Two arrested in fatal shooting of veteran Illinois Police Officer after 36-hour manhunt: Partner of the murdered officer remains critical in the hospital” Tweet.
