Jason Van Dyke greeted by cameras, scorn at criminal court

The Justice Department announced it would conduct a “pattern or practice” investigation of Chicago Police in the wake of the release of the video showing Police Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting McDonald, 17, in October 2014.

The attorney for Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, accused of murder in the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald, said Friday he may ask for a change of venue. Contrary to the Fraternal Order of Police account of what had transpired-that McDonald charged police officers who feared for their lives-the video showed that Laquan was walking away from the police when Van Dyke singularly shot the Black boy 16 times.

The mayor has faced calls to resign from protesters who accuse City Hall and the police department of a cover-up because the city fought for months to keep the video from being released under the argument that doing so would hinder the investigation into the shooting.

18, 2015, hearing in a Cook County criminal court follows Van Dyke’s indictment by a grand jury earlier this week.

Brown read aloud the indictment number and then set the case over for the random assignment of a judge and arraignment on December 29. On that date Van Dyke is expected to enter a plea, and a trial judge will be assigned to the case.

One protester pounded on the back of the truck before Van Dyke was able to pull away. “And, you know, I understand the mayor has a job to do, but quite frankly I was upset that the comments continued to go on and on and on”. “He has essentially told everyone in the public, in the City Council, that my client actually murdered Mr. McDonald, that he’s a bad apple”.

Herbert told reporters he wants the trial moved to a county “outside the reach” of Mayor Emanuel’s comments.

Emanuel’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Relatives of the victim agreed with Herbert regarding the venue for Van Dyke’s trial. Following the release of a police dash-cam video of the shooting, protests erupted in the city, Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy was forced out and calls came for Emanuel to step down, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Members of the public shouted insults at Van Dyke as he left the courthouse on Friday.

“Sixteen shots!” “Murderer!” “Child killer!” a small group of people yelled as they tailed 37-year-old Van Dyke outside the courtroom.

“Anita Alvarez and Rahm Emanuel have had years to clean up the well known abuses of the Chicago Police Department and have both failed to take action”.