Five years after Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg was gunned down by a convicted felon outside a police station on Chicago's South Side, his wife testified during his alleged killer's bench trial that her last words to her husband were to "be safe."
Jennifer Louden said her final words to her husband were to have fun, be safe, and she loved him.
The testimony came during a bench trial Monday for Bryant Brewer, who is charged with killing the 43-year-old police officer with his own weapon in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood on July 7, 2010. Police said Brewer wrestled a gun away from Soderberg, an 11-year veteran, and shot him at least three times -- in the head, back and face -- outside a police station near 61st and Racine.
Brewer is also accused of firing shots at a man sitting across the street -- a contractor by the name of Richard Mints -- and stealing his tool bag, said Assistant State’s Attorney John Dillon.
Brewer then allegedly engaged in a shootout with police, who shot him in the chest.
He was hospitalized, but eventually moved from his hospital bed to a jail cell, where he's been awaiting trial.
"This is not a case of who done it," prosecutor Brian Sexton told Judge Joseph Joyce Monday. "This is a he done it."
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Sexton alleged in court that Brewer went out that day to confront police.
"He is proud he gunned down a police officer," he said. "He is a police officer's worst nightmare."
But defense attorneys have a different version of events. They say Brewer was attacked by Soderberg, possibly for climbing a fence in a police parking lot. They say there was a struggle that day, and Soderberg pistol whipped Brewer with his gun before Brewer grabbed it and shot him.
They also plan to raise mental health issues.
In pre-trial hearings an expert testified that Brewer had marijuana, PCP and opiates in his system at the time of the shooting.
Defense attorneys said he was not mentally fit to stand trial, but were overruled.
Brewer has pleaded not guilty to 250 felony counts including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, armed robbery and resisting and disarming an officer.
He had previously been arrested at least 22 times, including one arrest several years ago when he was accused of shooting his brother on Independence Day. Police said he made a confession at that time, but the aggravated battery case was later dismissed. Family members said Brewer has a history of mental illness.
