NAACP calls for federal charges against officer who killed Laquan McDonald

The NAACP on Tuesday sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging him to file federal civil rights charges against the white Chicago police officer who fatally shot Black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014.

Former officer Jason Van Dyke was sentenced to six years and nine months after his conviction in October 2018 for the killing of McDonald, who was 17 at the time. Van Dyke is set to be released from prison on Thursday after serving less than half of his prison sentence.

In the letter, NAACP President Derrick Johnson urged Garland to "provide your commitment to move forward with appropriate and applicable federal charges based on the Federal Grand Jury findings and other relevant evidence"

"Given the egregious nature of his crime, the NAACP believes that at a minimum, the murderous officer should be charged with a federal civil rights violation under Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242 - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law," Johnson added.

He added that over its 113-year history, the organization has "seen unfair and inequitable favor given to law enforcement officers who unjustly take the lives of members of the Black community and have fought fervently in opposition to such favor."

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Chicago police Officer found guilty of second-degree murder in Laquan McDonald killing

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted Friday of second-degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, marking a stunning end to a racially tinged case that roiled the city when now-infamous police dashboard camera video of the shooting was released three years ago by court order.

Van Dyke is the first Chicago police officer in half a century to be found guilty of murder for an on-duty shooting. He faces a minimum of six years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Vincent Gaughan.

The jury deliberated for about 7½ hours before finding Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder instead of the first-degree charge on which he was indicted.

The veteran officer also was convicted of all 16 counts of aggravated battery for each shot he fired at McDonald. The jury acquitted him, however, of a single count of official misconduct.

Second-degree murder does not carry mandatory prison time — offenders can be sentenced to four to 20 years in prison or even receive probation.

In Illinois, those convicted of second-degree murder typically serve about half their sentence.

Second-degree murder does not carry mandatory prison time — offenders can be sentenced to four to 20 years in prison or even receive probation.

In Illinois, those convicted of second-degree murder typically serve about half their sentence.

[SOURCE: CHICAGO TRIBUNE]

New charges against Chicago cop in Laquan McDonald shooting

Chicago police officer already facing first-degree murder charges for the controversial shooting of a black teen will face an additional 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, a special prosecutor announced Thursday.

The new grand jury indictment brings to 23 the number of felony charges against officer Jason Van Dyke, previously charged with six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct for the 2014 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The special prosecutor, Joseph McMahon, announced the additional charges during a status hearing for Van Dyke on Thursday.

Read more: New charges against Chicago cop in Laquan McDonald shooting

Video of Laquan McDonald's shooting

WARNING: Graphic Video, viewer discretion is advised. Chicago Police released dashcam video that shows a police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan Mcdonald in 2014. Watch the tragic and disturbing video below.