The trial of the alleged gunman charged with murdering Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer was postponed for a second day with little explanation, but testimony in the case still is expected to close out this week.
After Cook County Judge Erica Reddick met in her chambers with the lawyer for Shomari Legghette and prosecutors briefly Tuesday, she called in jurors and sent them home, explaining that there was an “ongoing circumstance that prevents our being able to proceed today.”
Sources have said one of the parties to the case has had a health issue. The health issue is not related to the coronavirus.
Reddick on Monday held the trial in recess until around 11:30 a.m. before sending jurors home, citing an “extenuating circumstance.”
On Tuesday, Reddick told jurors the trial would resume Wednesday, and still is on pace to conclude on Friday.
Legghette, 46, his lawyer and the full prosecution team have been in court both days.
When the trial resumes, prosecutors are expected to to play additional video of 53-year-old Bauer chasing Legghette and tussling with him near the top of a stairwell outside the Thompson Center in February 2018.
The medical examiner who conducted an autopsy of the 31-year police veteran also has yet to take the stand.
Legghette allegedly shot Bauer six times after the two men toppled down the stairs, out of view, although defense attorney, Scott Kamin, maintains that Legghette did not know Bauer was a police officer during the confrontation.
Legghette is expected to take the stand to buttress his self-defense claims.
