Opening statements in the trial of Darius Sullivan, who is accused of fatally shooting Bradley Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) – Opening statements will begin Wednesday morning for one of the suspects charged in connection with the 2021 death of Police Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic.

In December 2021, Rittmanic, 49, and then-police officer Tyler Bailey were shot after approaching a man who had an arrest warrant out for him.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

They had driven to a Comfort Inn on Route 50 that evening after a complaint about dogs barking in a car.

Prosecutors allege that Darius Sullivan shot at police officers when they confronted him at the door of his hotel room.

Bailey was seriously injured but survived. Rittmanic was honored by officers and civilians at her funeral and buried in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Sullivan and Xandria Harris are charged with murder and attempted murder.

The couple is said to have been in the hotel room with two of their three children. Sullivan is also accused of endangering the lives of children.

Harris will face a separate trial.