South Sider Made Threats To Officials During Van Dyke Trial: Cops

CHICAGO — A South Side man is accused of making threats to public officials online and in court during Chicago police Ofc. Jason Van Dyke's murder trial last week, according to police. Matthew Ross, 32, of the 8000 block of South Spaulding Avenu in the Ashburn neighborhood, was arrested and charged Thursday with misdemeanor electronic harassment and misdemeanor disorderly conduct, Chicago police said.

According to authorities, Ross made the threats Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, as well as social media. This was before Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery.

Ross was taken into custody by police, Cook County sheriff's deputies and the FBI, authorities said. He was processed and released, and Chicago police would not comment on what kinds of threats he made.

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Police also are still investigating a separate threat concerning Van Dyke's daughter, according to the Chicago Tribune. Classmates at the daughter's high school allegedly asked who Van Dyke's daughter was because they wanted to attack her, the report added.

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