Angry Group Confronts Officer Jason Van Dyke Following Friday Hearing

Earlier this week, Van Dyke was indicted on six murder counts and one count of official misconduct for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Van Dyke was in court with his lawyer Daniel Herbert for a very brief hearing, after a grand jury formally indicted him this week on charges related to the October 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The judicial judge agreed to be scheduled his arraignment for December 29.

“We hold our police officers to a high standard and obviously in this case, Jason Van Dyke violated both the standards of professionalism that come with being a police officer but also basic moral standards that bind our community together”, Emanuel said.

The mayor has faced calls to resign from protesters who accuse City Hall, the police and the state’s attorney 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.

The DOJ investigation comes after the city released a video showing a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times.

Relatives of the victim agreed with Herbert regarding the venue for Van Dyke’s trial.

A small group of protesters shouted insults at Van Dyke as he left the court house.

Van Dyke has been free on $1.5 million bail since November 30 after spending six nights in Cook County Jail.

At the hearing, prosecutors are expected to read the full indictment that was handed down Tuesday. His defense has previously said Van Dyke feared for his life as McDonald reportedly had a knife.

Herbert said after the hearing that he was considering requesting a change of venue for his client because of comments made by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Van Dyke’s attorney said he didn’t think a special prosecutor was necessary but that if the venue is moved there might be a different prosecutor.

At a news conference Thursday, the retired officers joined the ranks of those who have been voicing distrust of leaders including Mayor Rahm Emanuel since last month’s release of the video of the McDonald shooting. In that instance, demonstrators planned to march to the airport, blocking traffic along the way. “Whether it’s voluntary or involuntary”.

“I want as many people as possible in Chicago to use it”, he said.

And the outcries against Van Dyke continued Friday. The teen was shot over 10 times after he fell to the ground.