Slain Chicago Cop: Accused Killer Pleads Not Guilty

CHICAGO, IL — The convicted felon accused of fatally shooting Chicago police Cmdr. Paul Bauer following a foot chase last month near the Thompson Center pleaded not guilty Monday to charges stemming from the case, the Chicago Tribune reports. A grand jury had brought down a 56-count felony indictment against Shomari Legghette, 44, during a hearing Friday.

At Monday's arraignment — which was attended by Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson and other uniformed officers — Cook County Judge Erica Reddick also stopped the public release of any video, audio or reports that could be possible evidence, a move objected to by Legghette's attorneys, according to the Tribune. Legghette was ordered held without bail last month, and the four-time felon is currently at Kankakee County Jail, the report added.

In the Feb. 13 incident, Bauer, 53, was shot multiple times while trying to help police tactical officers apprehend Legghette, who they wanted to question while seeing him act suspiciously during a narcotics sweep near the Thompson Center, according to police. Officers recovered a 9mm semiautomatic weapon with a 30-round extended clip, as well as cocaine, heroin and marijuana, from Legghette, police said.

RELATED: Accused Killer Of Slain Chicago Cop Indicted On 56 Counts

The charges against Legghette include 24 counts of first-degree murder and six counts of armed violence, as well as other weapons and drug counts. During last week's proceedings, prosecutors said they plan on seeking a life sentence against Legghette, who was wearing body armor at the time of the shooting.

Bauer had been on duty at the center for a training session and was in full uniform when he joined the foot pursuit after hearing a radio alert about the incident. The commander spotted Legghette near the Thompson Center and caught up with him at a stairwell outside the building, according to the bond proffer.

Legghette fell down the stairs, and Bauer either followed or fell himself, the proffer stated. At the bottom, the two men struggled, Legghette is accused of firing seven shots, hitting Bauer six separate times in the head, neck, chest, back and wrist.

Bauer did not fire any shots and was unable to unholster his gun, according to police. No other officers fired their weapons during the incident, police said.

An autopsy determined that Bauer died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. His death has been ruled a homicide.

More Patch Coverage

The Shooting

• Chicago Police Commander Gunned Down At Thompson Center (VIDEO)
• 4-Time Felon Charged With Murder (VIDEO)
• No Bail For Career Criminal Accused In Bauer's Fatal Shooting

Bauer's Career

• Cmdr. Paul Bauer: Learn How Slain Cop Spent 31-Year CPD Career
• Fallen Commander Worked In District 22 In Mid-1990s

The Funeral

• Bauer's Wake Draws Thousands Of Mourners (VIDEO)
• Thousands Line Streets To Give Bauer Incredible Sendoff (VIDEO)

The Aftermath

• Blue Ribbons And Flags Honor Bauer
• 'Chicago PD' Filming Near Slain Cop's Murder Scene Angers Some
• Cook County Jail Inmates Clap For Accused Killer (VIDEO)
• Slain Cop's Widow Thanks Chicago For Restoring Faith In Humanity
• Support Continues For Bauer's Family, CPD (VIDEO)

Legghette has a long criminal history, with several felony convictions. Before the Feb. 13 incident, he was last arrested by Chicago police in 2014, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. At that time, Legghette was convicted of drug possession and sentenced to two years in prison, the report added.

He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for armed robbery in 1998, and he received 30 days of community service for a battery conviction in 2011, the report stated. In 2007, Legghette was convicted of possession of a defaced firearm and sentenced to three years in prison, the report added. According to the Sun-Times, he also was charged with possessing body armor as a felon in that incident, but he was not convicted on that charge.

"I think it's crystal clear to anyone that some people don't deserve to walk the streets of Chicago," Johnson said of Legghette during a press conference last month announcing the charges.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Shomari Legghette, 44 (Photo via Chicago Police Department)