In a seventh floor courtroom packed with Chicago police officers including Supt. Eddie Johnson prosecutors laid out their clearest picture yet of the last moments of Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s life.
A life that ended, they say, as he struggled with suspect Shomari Legghette in a stairway on the Thompson Center Plaza earlier this week.
"Cmdr. Bauer tried to detain the subject at the top of the stairs while the defendant struggled," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said in court. "The defendant than stumbled down the stairs and Cmdr. Bauer either fell or followed the defendant down the stairs."
That struggle, they say continued on the lower landing where the fatal shots were fired.
"The defendant drew a gun and fired seven shots at Cmdr. Bauer," Fox said. "Cmdr. Bauer suffered six separate gunshot wounds to his head, neck, torso, back and wrist."
According to prosecutors, the commander’s weapon was holstered and secured--it was never taken out during the struggle.
Legghette appeared before judge Mary Marubio in full handcuffs and shackles with four emergency response team officers surrounding him.
The four-time felon was charged with first degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, armed violence and possession of a controlled substance.
"Police recovered a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended clip from the defendant’s coat pocket," Fox said. "Police also recovered cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and a sharp object from the defendant. The defendant was wearing a ballistic vest at the time of his arrest."
The Cook County state's attorney has appointed a special team to prosecute the case against him.
"This case is truly tragic and disheartening to the entire city," Fox said.
Legghette was represented by a public defender who asked that evidence be preserved in court and made no statement to reporters.
