A Chicago jury has found white police officer Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald.
"It's the first time in half a century that a Chicago police officer has been convicted of murder for an on-duty death," AP reports.
#VanDykeTrial Guilty of 2nd degree murder. #LaquanMcDonald pic.twitter.com/X64UriSbdr
— kathychaney (@kathychaney) October 5, 2018
The verdict was delivered just after 3:00pm Eastern time on Friday. Tweets from journalists, below, as the verdict was read from the Chicago courtroom.
Police outside of Leighton Criminal courthouse at 26 and Cal after verdict is announced that Jason Van Dyke is guilty of second degree murder and aggravated battery in the fatal shooting Laquan McDonald. @cbschicago #vandyketrial pic.twitter.com/SpQoFQhCj6
— Wendy Widom (@wendywidom) October 5, 2018
Judge Vincent Gaughan revokes Jason Van Dyke's bail after conviction on second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of Laquan McDonald. Next court date is set for Oct. 31. https://t.co/3yl8qhb8L9 #VanDykeTrial
— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) October 5, 2018
No bond. #VanDyke headed to jail. #VanDykeTrial
— Linze Rice (@LinzeRice) October 5, 2018
#BREAKING: VERDICT IS IN
NOT GUILTY:
-Official misconductGUILTY:
-1 count of 2nd degree murder
-16 counts agg battery w/firearm#JasonVanDyke #VanDyke #VanDykeMurderTrial #JVD #laquanmcdonald #vandyketrial @cbschicago— LAUREN VICTORY (@LaurenVictory) October 5, 2018
#VanDykeTrial Guilty of 2nd degree murder. #LaquanMcDonald pic.twitter.com/Ng8Gq626Wm
— kathychaney (@kathychaney) October 5, 2018
Jury finds Jason Van Dyke guilty of aggravated battery for all 16 shots fired, which killed Laquan McDonald #VanDykeTrial
— Kevin Gosztola (@kgosztola) October 5, 2018
#BREAKING #VanDykeTrial Jury finds Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke GUILTY of second degree murder, and aggravated battery with firearm for all 16 shots.
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
People have literally stopped on the sidewalk on Michigan avenue staring at their phones together. Some groups have gathered around a live video stream. #LaquanMcDonald #VanDykeTrial
— Arturas Kerelis (@arturaskerelis) October 5, 2018
Cook County employees at City Hall are being told to go home because of the verdict, which is expected to be followed by protests regardless of the result. #VanDykeTrial
— Tony Briscoe (@_TonyBriscoe) October 5, 2018
Day 2 Of Jury deliberations in the #VanDykeTrial. He's facing 1st Degree murder and some other charges. My man @exavierpope breaks down what they mean and what's ahead like only he can. #LaquanMcdonald https://t.co/tZXr3YSMz1
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
Final Act of #VanDykeTrial.
Jason Van Dyke faces 19 counts in the fatal shooting of #LaquanMcDonald.Charges include:
– 1st Degree Murder (max life sentence)
– 2nd degree option (4-20 years)
– Aggravated battery with a firearm (6-30 years)
– Official misconduct (2-5 years)— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
Lots of talk about what happens AFTER #VanDykeTrial. I'm told by activists that talks of riots are overblown. They expect things to be peaceful. @christianaire and @MichaelPfleger have been pushing a city shutdown / "economic boycott" if Van Dyke isn't convicted. #LaquanMcDonald
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
Judge takes bench. Demanding Jason Van Dyke's legal team provide credible evidence there was a threat against his daughter in school yesterday. Van Dyke says that's why he left the building unexpectedly. Judge threatens to revoke bail. After explanation, "I'll let it go"
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
Daniel Herbert, lead defense attorney, ordered to remain in the courthouse until jury is finished. Asks to go to car. Judge says "you have to come right back." After judge leaves, Herbert was seen explicitly mouthing his displeasure with the decision.
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
Jurors had a question about aggravated battery. There are 16 counts. One for each gun shot to #LaquanMcdonald 's body. Jury wants to know if they are supposed to rule based on how they are numbered on the medical examiner's chart or the simple number of shots fired #VanDykeTrial
— Brandon Pope TV (@BpopeTV) October 5, 2018
So much respect to @jamiekalven who doggedly broke the story of this police murder. Without him, there'd be no verdict today. And to @muckrakery who sued to get the #LaquanMcDonald video. They were relentless. Journalism matters. https://t.co/QZYCJUW2K6
— Ida Bae Wells (@nhannahjones) October 5, 2018
Today's verdict in the #LaquanMcDonald shooting is remarkable. Convictions of police officers in shootings of unarmed black people are extremely rare. After numerous exonerations, two officers convicted in the span of two months: Van Dyke and Oliver in Dallas in August.
— frank lloyd write (@emarvelous) October 5, 2018
