Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke GUILTY of 2nd Degree Murder of Laquan McDonald

A verdict of GUILTY of 2nd Degree Murder was reached at 12:32 p.m. in the trial of Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer charged with murdering Laquan McDonald, who was armed with a knife.

The jury came into court room at 1:51 p.m. after a brief introduction and guideline by the judge.

The verdict was announced just after 1:54 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2018.

Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder, official misconduct and aggravated battery in the October 20, 2014, slaying of 17-year-old McDonald, who was shot 16 times. Jurors were told Thursday, October 4, 2018 they had the option of convicting Van Dyke of second-degree murder, which is probationable. Twelve jurors and three alternates were sequestered Thursday after more than four hours of deliberations at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, 2650 South California Avenue.

First Degree Murder … GUILTY of 2ND DEGREE MURDER
1 Count of Official Misconduct … NOT GUILTY
16 Counts Aggravated Battery … GUILTY ALL 16 COUNTS

The revoked Jason Van Dyke’s bail about 2:02 p.m. and Jason Van Dyke was taken in custody to Cook County Jail.

With aggravated battery, Van Dyke faces 6 to 30 years in prison or greater if aggravated battery charges are sentenced sequentially. Also, the defense could argue that additional counts of aggravated battery were not valid because Laquan McDonald was already dead after a specific gunshot wound.

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