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Laquan McDonald: Verdict reached in Chicago police shooting Laquan McDonald: Chicago officer convicted of killing teen
(35 minutes later)
A Chicago jury has reached a verdict in the murder trial of a white police officer who killed an unarmed black teenager in 2014. A white police officer who killed a black teenager four years ago in Chicago has been found guilty of second-degree murder.
Jason Van Dyke shot Laquan McDonald 16 times, seconds after arriving on scene, claiming he feared for his life as the 17-year-old was armed with a knife.Jason Van Dyke shot Laquan McDonald 16 times, seconds after arriving on scene, claiming he feared for his life as the 17-year-old was armed with a knife.
The jury is expected to deliver its verdict within the hour. Mr Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder, but has been convicted of the lesser charge.
The shooting sparked a nationwide outcry. Chicago is preparing for protests. Chicago is bracing for protests. The 20 October 2014 shooting sparked outcry.
The city has been preparing for reactionary protests after the verdict is delivered. Schools are ready to go into lockdown if needed, according to local reports.
The jury of eight women and four men - one African-American, seven white, one Asian-American and three Hispanic - started deliberations on Thursday afternoon.The jury of eight women and four men - one African-American, seven white, one Asian-American and three Hispanic - started deliberations on Thursday afternoon.
Before they began deliberations, the jury was told they could consider second-degree murder charges. Mr Van Dyke has also been found guilty on all 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm - one count per shot fired.
Mr Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in 2015 after dashcam footage appeared to show him fatally shooting Mr McDonald as he moved away from officers, contradicting official accounts. He pleaded not guilty. The jury found him not guilty of official misconduct.
If the officer is convicted of first-degree murder, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. If he receives a second-degree conviction, Mr Van Dyke may see over 15 years in jail, with the possibility of probation. His bail was revoked and he was taken into custody following the verdict.
A judge ordered police to release the dashcam footage in November 2015 after Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration fought to withhold the video for a year. Mr Van Dyke was arrested in 2015 after dashcam footage appeared to show him fatally shooting Mr McDonald as he moved away from officers, contradicting official accounts.
He pleaded not guilty, with his defence arguing that had the teenager dropped his weapon, Mr Van Dyke would not have opened fire.
He now faces more than 15 years in prison, with the possibility of probation.
During the trial, Mr Van Dyke was still a member of the Chicago Police Department, though he was suspended without pay pending the outcome.
A judge ordered police to release the dashcam footage in November 2015 after the administration of Chicago's Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel fought to withhold the video for a year.
The long-delayed footage resulted in mass protests, culminating with the dismissal of the police chief and a Department of Justice investigation into the Chicago Police Department's use of force and practices.The long-delayed footage resulted in mass protests, culminating with the dismissal of the police chief and a Department of Justice investigation into the Chicago Police Department's use of force and practices.
Three other Chicago officers were charged last year with allegedly conspiring to cover up the fatal shooting, and they will be tried later this year.Three other Chicago officers were charged last year with allegedly conspiring to cover up the fatal shooting, and they will be tried later this year.
What happened during the shooting?What happened during the shooting?
According to prosecutors, Mr McDonald was holding a knife with a 3in (7.6cm) blade when he was stopped by police on 20 October 2014. Police said he had slashed a tyre on a patrol car, resulting in a stand-off between the teenager and officers. According to prosecutors, Mr McDonald was holding a knife with a 3in (7.6cm) blade when he was stopped by police. Police said he had slashed a tyre on a patrol car, resulting in a stand-off between the teenager and officers.
Mr Van Dyke was not among the first officers to arrive - the policeman who was on scene first told prosecutors he saw no need to use force with Mr McDonald.Mr Van Dyke was not among the first officers to arrive - the policeman who was on scene first told prosecutors he saw no need to use force with Mr McDonald.
Prosecutors say Mr Van Dyke proceeded to open fire on Mr McDonald less than six seconds after he exited his patrol car, and he was the only officer who used his weapon.Prosecutors say Mr Van Dyke proceeded to open fire on Mr McDonald less than six seconds after he exited his patrol car, and he was the only officer who used his weapon.
Mr McDonald still had a pulse when paramedics arrived, but was declared dead at the hospital.Mr McDonald still had a pulse when paramedics arrived, but was declared dead at the hospital.
In the wake of the shooting, police superintendent Garry McCarthy was ousted and the county's top prosecutor, Anita Alvarez, lost her re-election bid amid harsh criticism over her investigation of the incident.In the wake of the shooting, police superintendent Garry McCarthy was ousted and the county's top prosecutor, Anita Alvarez, lost her re-election bid amid harsh criticism over her investigation of the incident.
The Department of Justice began an investigation, resulting in a report last year that found the Chicago Police Department had routinely violated the constitutional rights of the city's residents.
In September, ahead of Mr Van Dyke's trial, Mayor Emanuel announced he would not run for re-election.
How is Chicago preparing?How is Chicago preparing?
Local schools have sent out advisories to parents this week notifying them of potential "civil unrest" relating to the verdict, according to a local media.Local schools have sent out advisories to parents this week notifying them of potential "civil unrest" relating to the verdict, according to a local media.
Some schools were preparing to send students home early if the verdict was announced during the classes.Some schools were preparing to send students home early if the verdict was announced during the classes.
The Chicago Police Department has been planning for the verdict for months alongside community leaders.The Chicago Police Department has been planning for the verdict for months alongside community leaders.
The department said in a statement that it had "a comprehensive operating plan to ensure public safety in all of our neighbourhoods while simultaneously protecting the rights of peaceful demonstrations".The department said in a statement that it had "a comprehensive operating plan to ensure public safety in all of our neighbourhoods while simultaneously protecting the rights of peaceful demonstrations".
It has placed officers on 12-hour shifts in anticipation of the trial's outcome.It has placed officers on 12-hour shifts in anticipation of the trial's outcome.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago issued an alert to members stating "it is reasonable to expect that the verdict may prompt additional protest activity".The Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago issued an alert to members stating "it is reasonable to expect that the verdict may prompt additional protest activity".
Cook County employees at City Hall have been told to go home early.Cook County employees at City Hall have been told to go home early.