Jason Van Dyke Pleads Not Guilty to First-Degree Murder

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning to six counts of first-degree murder.

Van Dyke’s attorney, Daniel Herbert, has said he’s considering whether to seek a change of venue from Cook County, citing the mayor’s comments about Van Dyke and the case.

Judge Vincent Gaughan is assigned to handle the case. Gaughan has handled several high-profile criminal trials in Chicago, including the Brown’s Chicken massacre murder trial and the child pornography case against singer R. Kelly.

Herbert and the state’s attorney’s office agreed with the judge to allow cameras to be present at the hearing.

Van Dyke, 31, arrived at the courthouse just before 9 a.m. and walked through a throng of reporters.

He was released from jail in November, having posted 10 percent of his $1.5 million bail after spending six days behind bars.

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