A Chicago man charged with last year's shooting death of Officer Michael Bailey on Wednesday was ordered held without bond.
Bailey’s wife, Pamela, and daughter, Jada, were inside the courtroom, as were several of the slain officer’s colleagues, as the judge listed the charges against 24-year-old Antwon Carter.
"I didn't feel anything when I saw him," Pamela Bailey told NBC Chicago outside of the courtroom. "He looks like a little kid. I just can’t imagine someone taking someone’s life."
Carter, of the 16800 block of South Broadway Street in Lockport, was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of murder/forcible felony and attempted armed robbery for the July 18, 2010 shooting.
In court, prosecutors described the night Bailey, 62, was shot and killed after returning to his Park Manor home after working an overnight security detail for then-Mayor Richard Daley.
As Bailey was cleaning out his car -- a gift to himself in honor of his upcoming retirement -- detectives said Carter attempted to carjack the officer. Gunfire erupted and Bailey was shot at least three times.
Deputy State Attorney John Dillon told the court that witnesses watched as Carter ran from the scene, still pointing his weapon at the downed officer. Those same witnesses were able to identify the suspect in a photo array and lineup.
"We're all celebrating today, but on the same token, we know that we're not done yet," said police Supt. Gary McCarthy alongside Bailey’s family. "We know that, unfortunately, this fight is going to go on, not just in this case but in the future trying to turn around gun violence in this city."
State’s Attorney Alvarez was quick to address allegations that charges against Carter were delayed while she was attending a conference in Hawaii.
"I found it quite insulting," Alvarez told reporters. "For someone to question my integrity and to think that I’m not going to try and get the best possible case together for a Chicago police officer, it’s just untrue."
The defendant was also charged with one count of aggravated vehicular hijacking in connection with a carjacking that occurred on July 22, 2010, in the 7500 block of South Cornell Avenue.
Carter had been in prison at the time of charges for an unrelated parole violation. Detectives said their big break came when corrections officers overheard Carter bragging about shooting the officer. The defendant had served several years in jail before for three felonies, including aggravated battery to a police officer.
"It’s frustrating. He shouldn't be on the street," Pamela Bailey said after the hearing. "He’s dangerous. I hope after this case, he’s never on the street to harm anyone ever again."
Bailey's death was the third officer fatality in a one-month span. Officer Thor Soderberg was shot and killed by a man two weeks prior. Officer Thomas Wortham was shot and killed outside his father's home by three assailants the month before that.
Police union leaders say they have been waiting for the day that they find and charge Bailey's killer.
"The officers involved and the detectives involved for the hard work that they put in on this case has finally come to the charge in this case," said Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden. "Now it moves to the next phase, where a police killer can be convicted."
Editor's Note: The Department of Corrections' website has the suspect's name as Anton Carter.
