He shot a teenager 16 times, and on Friday a jury decided a cop was a murderer.
Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke remained expressionless Friday afternoon as he was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting black teen Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014.
Van Dyke was also found guilty of 16 counts — one for each shot — of aggravated battery with a firearm. The courtroom remained entirely silent as the jury foreman read off the verdict, her voice unwavering.The judge had warned against any and all outbursts, telling those gathered in the Chicago courtroom that such behavior would result in arrest.
One member of the McDonald family stepped outside, unable to guarantee her composure.
The verdict comes nearly three years to the day after dashcam footage of the shooting sparked protests across the nation and widespread calls for justice.
The video, which shows McDonald walking away from officers as Van Dyke opens fire, played a key role in the weeks-long trial.
McDonald’s death remained mostly under the radar until the city released the dashcam footage a year later in November 2015. The officer was charged with murder on the same day.
