‘Bye, bye’: Rittmanic family speaks at Sullivan sentencing

KANKAKEE — Lyn Stua-Rittmanic made sure the impact statement she read to convicted murderer Darius Sullivan was heard by the man who killed her wife, Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, and seriously wounded retired Sgt. Tyler Bailey in December 2021.

After Stua-Rittmanic pushed the lectern at an angle so she could face Sullivan, she looked at him and asked, “Can you see me?”

Sullivan did watch her as she spoke.

Approximately five minutes later, after she finished, Stua-Rittmanic walked toward the table Sullivan sat at with his attorneys, staring at him the entire time.

She stopped some 6 feet away from Sullivan before turning and going back to her seat in the courtroom at the Kankakee County Courthouse during Sullivan’s sentencing hearing Tuesday.

While Sullivan was being escorted from the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers, someone in the crowd said, “Bye, bye.”

BEING BLUNT

Stua-Rittmanic was blunt with the man seen ending her wife’s life.

“I want you to actually suffer in prison for the rest of your miserable existence. There can be no parole for cop killers,” Stua-Rittmanic said.

“I hope you never see your children’s mother again, and I hope you never see any of your children again. Maybe your children will turn out a little better than you and contribute to society in a way that you were too incapable of grasping even at the most basic, elementary level.”

Stua-Rittmanic continued:

“You put your own children in a potential line of fire and held loaded weapons in a hotel room where the children had access. You are the one that put them in harm’s way that night, and the peace officers that responded to your dogs barking in a car were the only help your children had.”

Stua-Rittmanic talked about her wife’s personality.

“You executed a woman with a smile that could end wars; a personality that could mend divisions and hatred; and a passion for helping the most desperate,” Stua-Rittmanic said.

Sullivan did not wish to make a statement before he was sentenced, and there were no witnesses to talk on his behalf.

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. Her next court date is Feb.14 before Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott.

No date has been set for Harris’ trial.

She is represented by attorney Cierra Norris, of Chicago.

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

Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe, Assistant State’s Attorney Criminal Division Dan Reedy and First Assistant State’s Attorney Carol Costello will also prosecute Harris.

‘DEPRAVED‘

Bradshaw-Elliott sentenced Sullivan to natural life in prison for Rittmanic’s murder and 80 years, plus natural life, for the attempted murder of Bailey.

The sentences will be served consecutively, meaning Sullivan will serve one sentence and then the other.

After announcing the sentence, Bradshaw-Elliott looked at Sullivan and said, “You are a depraved person and have no respect for human life.”

Chief Public Defender Ed Pentuic said Sullivan’s case would go to the state’s Third Appellate District to appeal for a new trial.

Pentuic and Assistant Public Defender Jena Jones represented Sullivan.

Bradshaw-Elliott also sentenced Sullivan to 364 days in the Kankakee County Jail for putting each of his three children in harm’s way the night of the shooting.

MOTIONS DENIED

Bradshaw-Elliott denied two motions made by the defense, asking for a new trial.

One reason given was that one of the jurors had posted pro police and pro Bradley Police items on social media.

“These jurors were asked if they could be impartial,” Pentuic argued. “She told you she could. You can read between the lines your honor, this was not right.

“There should be a change of venue. It is better to be safe rather than be sorry.”

‘COWARD’

Marlene’s sister — Kathleen Rittmanic-Emme — read a statement from her family.

She called Sullivan a “coward” that murdered a female peace officer and disabled a 27-year-old peace officer.

“Shame on you for destroying and shattering so many lives, including your own children,” Emme continued.

“Darius, you deserve much more than to rot in prison for the rest of your life. You will never be forgiven by the Rittmanic family. You were such a coward when you rubbed what happened in our faces by pleading not guilty, and taking us through the heart-wrenching, step-by-step actions of what you did on that horrible night; when you left Tyler Bailey disabled and took our sister’s beautiful life.

“Marlene and Tyler would have advocated for and helped you in any way that they could, but your hateful and evil soul didn’t care.”

https://daily-journal.com/news/crime/bye-bye-rittmanic-family-speaks-at-sullivan-sentencing/article_627f9d08-d8db-11ef-808b-d7ba3af4726c.html