Nearly five years after the fatal shooting of a police officer in Kankakee County, Illinois, the murder trial of a Black mother charged in connection with the incident began with jury selection on Aug. 3 and opening statements on Aug. 7.
Xandria Harris, a 30-year-old mother of four, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and child endangerment for her alleged role in a December 2021 incident that left one police officer dead and another severely wounded.
Her then-boyfriend, Darius Sullivan, allegedly fatally shot Bradley, Ill., Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and severely wounded Sergeant Tyler Bailey during a confrontation in a hotel room.
Prosecutors shared that the incident began after a Comfort Inn employee called police about dogs left inside a vehicle in freezing temperatures, according to local news outlets. After responding, officers determined Mr. Sullivan was wanted on outstanding warrants.
They knocked on the door of the hotel room occupied by Ms. Harris and Mr. Sullivan. According to prosecutors, while Ms. Harris spoke to the officers at the hotel room door, her boyfriend came from around the room and reportedly shot Sgt. Bailey, local news outlets reported. He then reportedly chased Sgt. Rittmanic down the hallway, and allegedly disarmed her and fatally shot her.
Prosecutors accused Ms. Harris of aiding and abetting the crime, alleging that she delayed opening the hotel-room door while Mr. Sullivan prepared his weapon, assisted him during his struggle with Sgt. Rittmanic and later attempted to help him escape.
However, Ms. Harris’ attorney, Cierra Norris, argued that Mr. Sullivan “controlled and conditioned” her and that she lacked criminal intent, local news outlets reported.
Civil rights activist John C. Barnett, founder of the organization True Healing Under God, held a news conference in support of Ms. Harris on Aug. 7. During the news conference, he highlighted the case’s complexities, including concerns about jury selection.
The length of time between the incident and the trial and other issues reported attempts of silencing of Ms. Harris’ mother and attorney. On the opening day of the trial, prosecutors accused Atty. Norris of potentially violating a judge’s gag order by discussing the case with others.
Several of Ms. Harris’ family, friends and supporters spoke at the news conference.
“She’s a loving mother, a mother of four kids that needs to come home,” Anne Boyd, Ms. Harris’ aunt, said.
“I feel like I shouldn’t be here because I know my daughter’s innocent from the beginning. I knew my daughter was innocent, and I feel like I shouldn’t be here. And I feel like it’s unfair what she’s going through,” Gloria Harris-Boyd, Ms. Harris’ mother, said.
“And for me to be her mother, and for them to kick me out the court, who don’t want their mother there? I’m there to support my daughter, so I have to sit outside the courtroom and just pray for my daughter because I can’t be in there.”
Ms. Harris-Boyd also described to ABC7 Chicago how the case has affected Ms. Harris’ children. “They miss their 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 not had no physical contact with them,” she said.
Mr. Sullivan was convicted of murder and attempted murder in September 2024 and was later sentenced to mandatory life in prison, along with an additional 80 years.
Ms. Harris could also face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted. The trial is expected to conclude on Aug. 21. Mr. Barnett told The Final Call that he is preparing for another rally outside the Kankakee County Courthouse on Aug. 20, one day before the trial’s expected conclusion.
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