Harris' trial gets continued, team exploring 'under duress' defense

No trial date has been set.

Harris was in the courtroom Friday for her latest court date, which lasted about 20 minutes.

She listened as her attorneys, Cierra Norris and Gloria Smith, discussed the motion with Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe and Circuit Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott.

Norris and Smith said they have hired an expert witness who needs time to examine documents and other information.

Norris filed a motion in December asking the court to allow the use of an affirmative defense.

An affirmative defense is when the defendant introduces evidence that negates criminal liability or civil liability, even if it is proven the defendant committed the alleged acts, according to Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute.

The affirmative defense must be found credible to be successful, and the party that raises it has the burden of proof on establishing it. Raising an affirmative defense can be brought up with other defenses, according to the institute.

Examples of affirmative defenses include self-defense, entrapment, insanity and necessity.

On Friday, Bradshaw-Elliott asked Norris what defense they would be using.

“Initially, we have retained an expert from Northwestern [University],” Norris said.

“This person will be cultivating the information into the context that Ms. Harris was under duress [at the time of the shootings].”

Norris said they have obtained 911 recordings of calls Harris made about domestic abuse situations between herself and Sullivan.

Rowe did not object to the motion.

Harris’ next court date is Feb. 24.

The 27-year-old Harris, of Bradley, and 26-year-old Sullivan, of Bourbonnais, are both charged with first-degree murder in Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic’s death and attempted murder in the shooting of Bradley Police Sgt. Tyler Bailey on Dec. 29, 2021, at the Comfort Inn property in Bradley.