Laquan McDonald Shooting: Accused Chicago Cop's Interview Ordered Sealed

CHICAGO, IL — The auido and transcript of an official interview by Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke following the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald shooting has been ordered sealed by the Cook County judge presiding over the murder case, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates Chicago's police-involved shootings, spoke with Van Dyke after he was accused of shooting McDonald 16 times during an October 2014 incident on the South Side.

The interview was sealed as part of the process by Judge Vincent Gaughan of sorting through evidence that can be presented during Van Dyke's trial, the report stated. The judge already has told the prosecution it can't use certain comments Van Dyke made to a Chicago Police Department official about the shooting, the report added.

Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting, which occurred Oct. 20, 2014. Initial police reports claimed the teen was swinging a knife and lunging at Van Dyke before the officer opened fire. But video from a police dashboard camera shows McDonald walking away from Van Dyke when the teen is shot, and the officer is seen continuing to fire even after McDonald is on the ground. Van Dyke was later charged with 16 counts of aggravated battery — a count for each shot fired. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Here's a look at some of the other developments in the case since May:

• Gaughan ruled that Van Dyke must attend all the court hearings leading up to his trial despite the officer's concern for his safety. The judge did pledge to ensure there was enough security to protect Van Dyke.
• Four Chicago police officers suspended over their involvement in the shooting were allowed to return to work after the Chicago Police Board voted to delay disciplinary hearings for them. Supt. Eddie Johnson had suspended the officers without pay and recommended they be fired for allegedly signing reports that falsely characterized the shooting.
• A special grand jury indicted three current or former Chicago police officers on state felony charges, alleging that they tried to cover up details surrounding the incident. A new judge — Domenica Stephenson — was then assigned to preside over that case.
• More indictments surrounding the alleged shooting cover-up also are expected by the grand jury, which is set to meet at least twice by the end of October.

More via the Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke (left) with lawyer Randy Rueckert during a hearing Thursday, May 11. (Photo by Nancy Stone | Associated Press)

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