By Lisa Donovan
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — Chicago’s top cop issued a statement saying “charges are not anticipated in the immediate future’’ in the shooting death of off-duty Chicago Police officer Michael Bailey.
The statement from Police Supt. Garry McCarthy’s office was sent to media outlets Friday after a Sun-Times report detailing complaints from police officers and others who say charges have been delayed against a suspect - a 24-year-old prison inmate - because Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez is traveling to Hawaii.
“This case is not getting charged today because Anita Alvarez has left on vacation,” a source familiar with the case told the Sun-Times. “Point-blank, they told us she left town [Friday] morning and won’t be around for the press conference.”
The suspect was questioned Thursday night and made a statement to police and prosecutors that he was “going to rob Bailey.” When Bailey pulled his gun, they exchanged gunfire and he shot and killed the off-duty cop. Sources also say detectives who have been working the case for the past year also have statements from eight other people to support what they call a “chargeable case.”
“The Chicago Police Department continues to work with the Cook County State’s attorney’s office, and progress has been made in the investigation. Detectives continue to conduct interviews; however charges are not anticipated in the immediate future,” the police statement said.
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