Slain Chicago Cop: Civil Rights Lawyer To Defend Accused Killer

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago civil rights lawyer whose practice specializes in police brutality will represent the man who is charged in the fatal shooting of Chicago police Cmdr. Paul Bauer. Scott Kamin of the Kamin Civil Rights Group law firm told the Chicago Tribune that he would be offering his services to Shomari Legghette, who faces 56 felony counts, including first-degree murder, after allegedly shooting Bauer, multiple times Feb. 13 following a foot chase near the Thompson Center.

Bauer, 53, was shot 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, 44, police said.

Prosecutors said they plan on seeking a life sentence against Legghette, who was wearing body armor at the time of the shooting.

Kamin would not go into details with the Tribune about the case or why he was defending Legghette free of charge. He cited a judge's gag order as the reason for declining to comment.

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 Accused Killer Says He's Like Trayvon Martin In Interview

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)

In a Chicago magazine interview last month, Legghette compared himself to Trayvon Martin, wondering if the slain Florida teen would "have been guilty with George Zimmerman if it had went the other way." He said he made the comparison to the 17-year-old unarmed boy who was fatally shot by Zimmerman in 2012 because he isn't guilty in the Bauer shooting.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Shomari Legghette, 44 (Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office)