Several inmates applauded a suspected cop-killer as he was escorted from his first court hearing in Chicago — and jail officials now want the “despicable” behavior to be considered by prosecutors during their potential sentencing.
A video provided to the Chicago Tribune by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office shows a handful of the 25 inmates in a Cook County Jail holding cell who were waiting to see a judge start clapping their hands as guards escort suspected cop-killer Shomari Legghette past them.
The inmates appeared to be riled up by his presence, briefly milling about after Legghette is led out of the area.
“We are forwarding the video of this horrific and despicable behavior to the state’s attorney’s office with a request that this behavior be considered in the sentencing of the identified offenders,” Cara Smith, chief policy officer for Sheriff Tom Dart, told the newspaper.
Jail officials also intend to transfer the inmates who applauded Legghette to jails outside Cook County. They’ll be shipped out for “institutional purposes … so the jail can operate as it is intended,” Smith said.
The state’s attorney’s office declined to comment Thursday.
The episode occurred after Legghette, 44, appeared in court on charges of first-degree murder of a peace officer, armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a controlled substance in the death of Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer.
Bauer, 53, was in pursuit of Legghette on Tuesday and struggled with him atop an outdoor stairwell, a prosecutor said Thursday. Legghette fell down the stairs and Bauer either fell or followed him down before witnesses reported hearing seven shots. Bauer was struck six times and was later pronounced dead, according to Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Guy Lisuzzo.
Legghette, who did not enter a plea, was ordered held without bond and is expected to return to court on March 7.
With Post wires