Jason Van Dyke Court Hearing: Amid Chicago Protests, Police Officer Indicted

Dan Herbert, Van Dyke's attorney, said after the that his client can't get a fair trial in Cook County based on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's comments about Van Dyke, criticizing him for the shooting.

More demonstrations are planned surrounding the Chicago officer's court appearance Friday, with protesters planning to begin a boycott at Midway Airport at 10 a.m. At 12 p.m., Van Dyke will face a judge at Chicago's Criminal Court Building for the first time since he was formally indicted on six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct.

The investigation was sparked after the city released video showing a police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times.

Several people shouted profanities and pounded on the black pickup truck before it pulled away with officer Jason Van Dyke inside.

Chicago police killed an average of 17 people a year over the last seven years, a lot of them African American, and it is extremely unusual for police officers to face charges or be disciplined in such cases.

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

In the midst of protests, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has taken full responsibility for the shooting on behalf of the Chicago Police Department.

The charges against Van Dyke come at a time of protests in cities around the country over cases of police killings of black men, often by white officers.

Van Dyke entered the courthouse around 11:30 a.m., dressed in a dark suit and tie instead of the hoodie he wore during his last court appearance.

"In Cook County it hasn't been done in decades", Herbert said.

"He has essentially told everyone in the public, everyone in the city counsel, that my client murdered Mr. McDonald, that he's a bad apple". Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder on November 24, just hours before the video was released to the public. "And quite frankly Exhibit A is going to be the mayor and his comments and we're going to have to find a county that is outside the reach of the mayor's comments". Prosecutors said Van Dyke fired 16 shots in 14 to 15 seconds, and for all but one of two of those seconds, McDonald was already lying wounded on the pavement on October 20, 2014.