Man accused of murdering CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer to stand trial in March

A cross for Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer by Greg Zanis, of Crosses for Losses, in April 2018, near the location outside the Thompson Center where Bauer was gunned down. Shomari Legghette is set to stand trial for Bauer’s murder in March. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Opening statements in trial of a four-time felon charged with the 2018 murder of Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer are scheduled to begin March 3.

The trial date set Wednesday by Cook County Judge Erica Reddick marks a delay of a little over a month after accused gunman’s Shomari Legghette’s attorney requested more time to review evidence last week.

Jury selection is set to begin Feb. 27.

Assistant State’s Attorney John Maher said he expected it would take a week for prosecutors to present the case against Legghette.

Legghette allegedly shot Bauer during a struggle in a stairwell near the Thompson Center. Bauer had confronted Legghette as he fled from officers who spotted him urinating on a column on Lower Wacker Drive, prosecutors said.

Legghette had the gun used to shoot Bauer in his pocket when he was taken into custody by officers after he was spotted coming out of the stairwell where Bauer’s body was discovered, prosecutors said. Legghette was also allegedly wearing body armor under his coat.