New discrepancies in Laquan McDonald case

Newly released documents in the fatal shooting of Chicago teen Laquan McDonald – including original incident reports, as well as summaries filed later by detectives – show that critical aspects of some officers’ version of events are not backed up by the now widely-viewed video of the incident.

The governor also questioned why it took 13 months for officials to charge Officer Jason Van Dyke with murder. And in Seattle, nearly all police video is posted online almost immediately, though special software blurs the images; a video with clear images must be requested. McDonald is O, for the offender.

Johnson’s family does not believe the official account. “Trying to kill VD”.

In the video, Van Dyke is not backpedaling, but in fact appears to be advancing as he fires. “Still holding knife. Pointing at VD”. McDonald died after being shot 16 times.

In a statement to the media, Madigan said she knows “the vast majority of officers in the Chicago Police Department serve with bravery, honor and integrity”. The reports included a copy of the warning issued by an unnamed “Midwest intelligence organization” that had been circulated to officers.

In a second statement to officials, Van Dyke even mentioned the bulletin. Because they diverge so dramatically from the video, they suggest a possible avenue for prosecution. The judge rejected the city’s contention, made before Van Dyke was charged, that releasing the video would lead to an unfair trial “in the court of public opinion”.

Chicago authorities also have not been able to explain why the dashcam footage released to the public, including from other squad cars on the scene, doesn’t include audio that could shed light on what happened. He also said the city could not withhold the video because state and federal agencies were investigating an incident — not the city police department itself.

The shooting unfolded as Van Dyke and his partner were responding to a radio call of a man with a knife who had popped a tire.

When the teenager was ordered to drop the knife, he ignored the demand and kept walking along 40th Street toward Pulaski away from the officers.

“In defense of his life, Van Dyke backpedaled and fired his handgun at McDonald, to stop the attack”, one document reads.

Redactions in the police reports cover signatures, a reporter’s cellphone number, the serial number of the officer’s gun and McDonald’s address.

“Knife in r hand, underhand grip”. But one of the police reports said the recovered knife’s “blade was in the open position”.

“When O within 10-15 ft. looked at VD raised knife across chest, over shoulder”. Van Dyke performed a tactical reload of his pistol with a new magazine and then assessed the situation. Only Van Dyke fires his weapon and none of the estimated seven police officers on the scene moves to help McDonald.

The report said Van Dyke was aware of the widely accepted teaching that an assailant armed with a knife was considered a deadly threat if within 21 feet. The officer continues shooting after McDonald crumples to the ground and is barely moving.

CHICAGO (AP) — There’s often little consistency in USA cities’ policies on how quickly to release videos of police officers shooting civilians under disputed circumstances, with many municipalities making decisions as they go or waiting to act until political pressure or court rulings force the issue.

Dean Angelo, president of Lodge 7 of the Fraternal Order of Police, said in a text message to the Tribune that he did not want to comment about an ongoing investigation.