Four Chicago officers fired in July over allegations they helped cover up the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald have filed separate lawsuits challenging the decision.
The four former officers were accused of making false statements about the shooting, which took place on the night of Oct. 20, 2014.
The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday voted 4-2 to reject a bid by prosecutors to resentence a former Chicago police officer for the controversial shooting death of Laquan McDonald.
In a complicated and rare legal maneuver, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Kane County State's Attorney Joseph McMahon are asking the state supreme court to review the sentencing of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.
Judge Domenica Stephenson repeatedly stated the state failed to prove conspiracy or obstruction of justice, saying mistakes do not equate to lying. She noted inconsistencies in witness testimony, a lack of proof that the three officers conspired to cover up the shooting and said other evidence in the case was "nothing more than speculation."
Van Dyke’s attorney has vowed to appeal the conviction to a higher court, a process that would begin after sentencing. Daniel Herbert has said in interviews that one of the reasons he filed so many pretrial motions was to preserve issues for an appeal if Van Dyke were convicted.
Van Dyke, 40, was charged with first-degree murder, official misconduct and aggravated battery in the Oct. 20, 2014, shooting of McDonald, who was shot 16 times. Jurors were told Thursday they have the option of convicting Van Dyke of second-degree murder, which is probationable.
Lawyers for three Chicago police officers charged with impeding an investigation into the fatal police shooting of teenager Laquan McDonald said Thursday they plan for a Cook County judge to decide the outcome of the officers' trials, not a jury.
Three Chicago police officers were indicted Tuesday on felony charges that they conspired to cover up the actions of a police officer who shot and killed 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, and that the officers lied when they said the black teenager "aggressively" swung a knife at them and tried to get up from the ground still armed after he was shot.
The special prosecutor assigned to investigate a possible cover-up by Chicago police in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald said in court Wednesday that a special grand jury has been impaneled to hear evidence in the case.
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