Chicago Police

Cop Who Fatally Shot 2 Describes Feelings in Court For First Time

For the first time, defendant Robert Rialmo described his feelings the night he shot Quintonio LaGreir and Betty Jones.

In court Wednesday, he demonstrated how Greer held the bat high above his head.

Rialmo admits to firing the shots in 2015 that killed Legrier and downstairs neighbor Jones, but maintains that he only did so because Legrier lunged at him with a baseball bat.

“If I had turned toward the street and ran, he would’ve been on my ass with that baseball bat,“ Rialmo said. “I thought he was going to take my head out with it.”

Rialmo said he only shot LaGrier out of fear for his own safety.

Betty Jones, he says, was caught in the crossfire.

His recollection Wednesday differed in small ways from the video taped depositions he gave in the past.

Not only is Rialmo on trial for wrongful death, he is countersuing the estate of LeGrier, alleging the incident has left him a changed man. He is also suing the city of Chicago for allegedly not training him adequately.

When pressed on whether he knew if the allegations in his counter claim were true, Rialmo waited to answer.

“You were smirking and laughing just now," an attorney noted in court. "Do you think there is anything funny about this?”

“No,”Rialmo said.

At one point, he was asked about his medical training, both as a Chicago police officer and previously as a Marine and whether he carried gauze and bandages.

“It was in your pack with your asp, but you did nothing to retrieve it?” attorneys asked.

“It wouldn’t have done anything,” Rialmo said.

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