Xandria Harris takes stand in own defense for murder trial in shooting of Bradley Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, Tyler Bailey

Xandria Harris takes stand in own defense for murder trial in shooting of Bradley Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, Tyler Bailey. The development was reported by ABC7 Chicago.

Xandria Harris takes stand in own defense: Latest Details

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) — Xandria Harris took the stand in her own trial Wednesday, offering emotional testimony as defense attorneys sought to establish that years of alleged abuse by boyfriend Darius Sullivan affected her actions during the 2021 shooting that killed a Bradley police officer and seriously wounded another.

Harris testified about what she described as trauma and abuse as well as diagnosed depression and anxiety throughout her eight-year relationship with Sullivan, arguing that those experiences shaped her decisions on Dec. 29, 2021, when Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic was killed and Sgt. Tyler Bailey was seriously injured.

The officers had responded to the Comfort Inn after reports that dogs had been left in Harris' vehicle on a cold night. According to testimony, Sullivan had outstanding warrants at the time. Prosecutors say police spent about 13 minutes at the hotel room door while she remained inside with Sullivan and their children.