Sullivan gets life sentence for Bradley police sergeant’s murder

KANKAKEE — The man convicted of killing Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and the attempted murder of now-retired Bradley Sgt. Tyler Bailey has been sentenced to life in prison.

At Tuesday’s sentencing of Darius Sullivan, Kankakee County Circuit Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott announced her decision at the end of the 70-minute hearing.

“You are depraved and have no respect for human life,” Bradshaw-Elliott told Sullivan after announcing her ruling.

Sullivan was found guilty by a jury in September for the December 2021 killing of Rittmanic and the attempted murder of Bailey.

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe said that because the jury found that, at the time of the murder, Sullivan knew Rittmanic to be a peace officer, his sentence will be mandatory life.

After serving the sentence for Rittmanic, Sullivan will serve a consecutive sentence of 80 years for attempted murder of a peace officer, Rowe said.

Rittmanic’s wife, Lyn Stua-Rittmanic, and sister, Kathleen Rittmanic-Emme, each read victim impact statements prior to sentencing.

Sullivan did not speak to the court.

Sullivan’s attorneys asked that his case be appealed to the state’s Third Appellate Court.

Tuesday’s hearing before Bradshaw-Elliott took place at 1:30 p.m.

Before the hearing, Judge Bradshaw-Elliott listened to post-trial motions.

Kankakee County Chief Public Defender Ed Pentuic and Assistant Public Defender Jena Jones represent Sullivan.

Rittmanic and Bailey were shot by 28-year-old Sullivan on Dec. 29, 2021, when they answered a call about dogs barking in a vehicle outside the Comfort Inn hotel property near the Northfield Square mall.

Sullivan’s 29-year-old girlfriend, Xandria Harris, is awaiting her trial.

No date has been set for Harris’ trial. She is represented by attorney Cierra Norris, of Chicago. The next court date for Harris is Feb. 14.

On Dec. 31, 2021, authorities took Sullivan into custody in Indiana. Harris turned herself into Bradley police on the same day.

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