The second week of testimony in the Xandria Harris murder trial began yesterday as the prosecution rested. Harris faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and child endangerment for allegedly helping her then-boyfriend, Darius Sullivan, in the December 2021 shooting that killed Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic and wounded Officer Tyler Bailey.
Defense attorney Cierra Norris moved for a directed verdict, arguing the state lacked sufficient evidence, but Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott denied the motion.
The defense then called KanComm dispatcher Kyle Buente, who testified Officer Bailey requested background checks on Harris and Sullivan shortly before the shooting, revealing active warrants for Sullivan. Harris’s brother, Xavier, also testified that he picked up his crying sister and drove her to Indiana. On cross-examination, he admitted pleading guilty to obstruction of justice after lying about her whereabouts—telling police he dropped her in Bradley or Kankakee. Police also found a gun in a bag inside his car and he told officers he didn’t know where it came from. With three jurors dismissed so far, three alternates remain. The trial is expected to wrap up by Friday.
Comments