Chicago Cop Who Fatally Shot Laquan McDonald Pleads Not Guilty

Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald, a black teenager, in 2014, 16 times, has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Van Dyke faces six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct.

High-profile killings of black men at the hands of mainly white law enforcement officials in USA cities have fuelled demonstrations for two years, stoking a national debate on race relations and police tactics.

The video shows Van Dyke shooting McDonald in the middle of a street on October 20, 2014, as McDonald was walking away from police who had confronted him. Van Dyke’s lawyer said he may ask for a change of venue.

Since then, the Justice Department has launched an investigation into the police force’s practices, and Mayor Rahm Emanuel has appointed a “police accountability task force”.

Van Dyke’s attorney Daniel Herbert has said Van Dyke feared for his life and insists that the video doesn’t tell the full story.

On Tuesday, Van Dyke answered “here” when his name was called and walked before Judge LeRoy Martin Jr., the presiding judge at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. The team is scheduled to play the Denver Nuggets in Denver on Tuesday night.

In November, a dashcam video of the shooting was released, leading to protests.

Chicago saw tensions over its police department’s use of force and alleged discrimination against communities of colour renewed Monday, two days after police shot dead Quintonio LeGrier, 19, and Bettie Jones, 55. A freelance journalist sued to have the footage released, arguing it was a public record.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has come under intense pressure to step down from office over a fairly steady stream of police brutality claims.

A white police officer has pleaded not guilty to killing an African American teen in 2014.

LeGrier was wielding a bat inside his father’s apartment and Jones, their neighbor, was looking out for police.

“He’s doing OK, he’s hanging in there”, Herbert said of Van Dyke. His next hearing is on January 29.

Van Dyke, who is no longer being paid, has been free since posting bond.