Bail Raised For Chicago Cop In Laquan McDonald Shooting

CHICAGO — Bail was slightly increased Thursday for the Chicago police officer facing murder charges in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Judge Vincent Gaughan added $2,000 to Jason Van Dyke's original $1.5 million bail in response to media interviews he gave last week, and the officer was able to post the necessary $200 bond in the afternoon, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Van Dyke is on trial stemming from the fatal shooting of McDonald during an incident on the South Side on Oct. 20, 2014. He has pleaded not guilty to six counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery, one count for each time McDonald was shot. Van Dyke also faces a count of official misconduct.

Jury selection began Wednesday, Sept. 5, with potential jurors given questionnaires. Gaughan is expected to privately interview jurors beginning Monday, Sept. 10.

Last week, the prosecution had asked that Van Dyke be held in contempt and that his bail be raised or revoked because of interviews he gave to the Tribune and Fox 32 Chicago. The motion argues that Van Dyke's comments in those interviews broke Gaughan's modified gag order prohibiting law enforcement employees in the case and individuals who might testify from talking extensively about the case outside of court.

More Patch Coverage:

No Bail Change Ruling For Chicago Cop In Laquan McDonald Shooting: Prosecutors had asked for Chicago police Ofc. Jason Van Dyke's bail be raised or revoked because of recent interviews he gave.

Chicago Cop In Laquan McDonald Shooting In Contempt: Prosecutors: Interviews given by Jason Van Dyke violated rules set by the presiding judge in the case, prosecutors said.

'I'm Not A Racist,' Says Chicago Cop In Laquan McDonald Shooting: Jason Van Dyke spoke publicly for the 1st time in nearly 4 years Tuesday, days before his first-degree murder trial is set to start.

Laquan McDonald Case: Judge To Pick Trial Venue After Jury Chosen: Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer facing murder charges in the shooting, can get a fair trial in Cook Co., the judge says.

On Thursday, Gaughan ruled that Van Dyke had violated his rule, but he did not revoke the officer's bail or raise it an excessive amount, according to the Tribune. The prosecution argued that what Van Dyke said in his interviews tainted the trial's potential jury pool, but the defense contended that the officer was only exercising his First Amendment and that this has been the first time he's made public comments since being charged in the shooting, the report added.

A special hearing was held Saturday to discuss the contempt charge and bail change request. Prosecutors asked that the contempt ruling should wait until after Van Dyke's trial, and Gaughan agreed.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building on Wednesday, Sept. 5, following the first day of jury selection in his first-degree murder trial. (Photo by Scott Olson | Getty Images)