A white Chicago police officer who gunned down a black teenager last year has pleaded not guilty to murder. Jason Van Dyke faces six counts of first
ADVERTISEMENTA white Chicago police officer who gunned down a black teenager last year has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Jason Van Dyke faces six counts of first degree murder and one count of official misconduct for killing 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 20, 2014.
Video footage shows McDonald, who was armed with a knife, being shot 16 times as he was veering away from the officer.
It took more than one year to get the video released, setting off public outrage and calls for Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to resign over accusations he covered up police killings of black men.
The city has seen widespread demonstrations since the release of the video calling for the mayor to quit.
Emanuel said he will not step down, but will review police practices.
Van Dyke’s next hearing is planned for January 29.
DCFS intervened 3x in Laquan Mcdonald's life. 1x when his mother “whooped” him for 15 minutes w/ a belt at daycare. pic.twitter.com/ncaoHWslOQ
— Brad Edwards (@tvbrad) December 17, 2015
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces fresh anger after new police shooting https://t.co/hyc4yxkwGXpic.twitter.com/G35s6sQun1
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) December 29, 2015
#LaguanMcdonaldvideo. Humorous barb. Protestors chide
RahmEmanuel</a> for not shoveling own walk. <a href="https://t.co/jwhcJcicCX">pic.twitter.com/jwhcJcicCX</a></p>— Edward Marshall (edmarshallcbs2) December 29, 2015