Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke Indicted on Murder Charges

A group of retired black Chicago Police officers on Thursday called on the department to halt promotions and hiring until federal authorities complete an investigation launched after a video of the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald was released.

Footage from a patrol vehicle recorder shows Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times as the teen appears to walk away from police, and outrage over the incident has led to a federal investigation of whether police in the nation's third-biggest city have a pattern of violating people's civil rights.

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

A court  was scheduled for Friday to formally read out the indictment against Jason Van Dyke.

Department of Justice officials have finished two days of meetings in Chicago as they begin a civil rights investigation into the city police department.

"It's very hard for my client to get a fair trial in Cook County, especially when the mayor essentially has come out and indicted him on several different occasions", Herbert said.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Officer Jason Van Dyke was formally charged with first degree murder along with one count of official misconduct.

The Justice Department said Wednesday it is having "productive" talks on police reforms in Ferguson, Missouri, where a probe was opened after the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in 2014.

Chicago police killed an average of 17 people a year over the last seven years, majority African American, and it is extremely unusual for police officers to face charges or be disciplined in such cases. John Escalante to brief police commanders on the investigative process. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office issued a statement, "We have a mutual goal to create a stronger, better police department that keeps our neighborhoods safe while respecting the civil rights of every Chicagoan". Pfleger suggested the mayor go to corporations as well as the county, state and federal governments for investments in struggling communities.

The DOJ will look into the police department's use of force, police accountability and other matters.

 

Emanuel sacked Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy soon after a judge ordered the city to make the video public.

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