© 2024 Peoria Public Radio
A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Cop Charged With Murder Must Keep Coming to Court

A judge says a Chicago police officer charged in the shooting death of teenager Laquan McDonald can't skip any court hearings.   Jason Van Dyke's lawyer has been arguing that Van Dyke shouldn't be forced to attend hearings because he's been verbally abused and physically jostled by protesters when he comes to court. Van Dyke's father said the same thing.

However, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan ruled Van Dyke must keep attending the hearing. The judge promised to beef up courthouse security.

Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder in the October 2014 shooting of McDonald. The officer shot the teen 16 times - an incident captured on video and broadcast around the world.  Van Dyke contends he acted in self-defense and has pleaded not guilty.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.