White officer sentenced to nearly 7 years
Black teenager died after being shot 16 times in 2014
CHICAGO — The white Chicago officer who shot a black teenager in 2014 was sentenced Friday to nearly seven years in prison, ending an explosive case that centered on a graphic dashcam video and added fuel to debates about race and policing and law enforcement’s “code of silence.” Jason Van Dyke was convicted last year of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery — one for each bullet fired at Laquan McDonald.
Moments before learning the sentence, Van Dyke acknowledged the teen’s death, telling the judge that “as a God-fearing man and father, I will have to live with this the rest of my life.” The sentence was less than half penalty that had been sought by prosecutors, who asked for 18 to 20 years. But it went far beyond the request of defense attorneys, who argued that Van Dyke could be released on probation.
Judge Vincent Gaughan predicted that no one involved in the case would be pleased with his final decision.
“I assume 100 percent of people will be disappointed,” he said.
The judge did not characterize Van Dyke’s decision to open fire, saying only that it changed both McDonald’s and Van Dyke’s families forever.
“That’s a shame,” he said. You can see the pain … on both families … This is not easy.”
After the judge’s announcement, Van Dyke’s father said, “They threw him underneath the bridge.” His older daughter began crying and said, “I want him home.”
Earlier in the day, several black motorists testified that he used a racial slur and excessive force during traffic stops in the years before the 2014 shooting.
Hours later, Van Dyke’s relatives tried to defend and humanize him, saying he’s a good father and husband who goes out of his way to help and who is not racist.
Friday’s testimony came a day after a different judge acquitted three officers accused of trying to conceal what happened to protect Van Dyke.