Posted on 10/05/2018 6:09:41 PM PDT by Olog-hai
A white Chicago officer was convicted of second-degree murder Friday in the 2014 shooting of a black teenager that was captured on shocking dashcam video that showed him crumpling to the ground in a hail of 16 bullets as he walked away from police.
The video, some of the most graphic police footage to emerge in years, stoked outrage nationwide and put the nations third-largest city at the center of the debate about police misconduct and use of force. The shooting also led to a federal inquiry and calls to reform the Chicago Police Department.
Jason Van Dyke, 40, was the first Chicago officer to be charged with murder for an on-duty shooting in about 50 years. He was taken into custody moments after the verdict was read.
The second-degree verdict reflected the jurys finding that Van Dyke believed his life was in danger but that the belief was unreasonable. The jury also had the option of first degree-murder, which required finding that the shooting was unnecessary and unreasonable. A first-degree conviction, with enhancements for the use of a gun, would have carried a mandatory minimum of 45 years.
Second-degree murder usually carries a sentence of less than 20 years, especially for someone with no criminal history. Probation is also an option. Van Dyke was also convicted of 16 counts of aggravated battery one for each bullet.
One legal expert predicted that Van Dyke will be sentenced to no more than six years total. But because hes an officer, it will be hard time, possibly spent in isolation, said Steve Greenberg, who has defended clients at more than 100 murder trials.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
What? The magic words did not work?
Per the video it looks like he went down after first couple of shots. Maybe a bad idea to pump 16 rounds into the corpse? Aren’t we all taught in CCW class that the object is to stop the threat and not necessarily to kill?
Reverend Al and Jesse are very disappointed. A huge money-making opportunity just blew up on them. you
Had it not been for the last couple shots, when the now deceased was laying on the ground almost motionless for several seconds, the cop would not have been convicted of murder. What started out as a questionable shoot became an execution.
On to the wicked Pepper Steaks they serve on Thursdays at Joliet.
I blame training here... I don’t believe the first couple shots were uncalled for - he is showing a deadly weapon, waving it around, and is keeping a hand in his pocket. Once the second hand becomes visible, the officer relies upon training and continues shooting until ammunition is expended.
Training does not excuse, it is just a reason behind, and fully agree with a murder charge against the officer. The 16 guilty verdicts on each bullet being shot is incredibly excessive. The suspect was clearly threatening anyone who came close to him with a deadly weapon. My issue is once the second hand is clear, the officer should have ceased firing.
What training are you referring to?
Not this time, Pal...
Did they mention that he had been tazed and was armed with a knife?
They did mention the knife.
How fast can the gun be emptied?
Couple seconds.
Joliet has been closed for quite a while
Had it not been for the last couple shots, when the now deceased was laying on the ground almost motionless for several seconds, the cop would not have been convicted of murder.
He also lied and said that the the victim attacked him and that he (the cop) tried to step back.
Correct. But if a person is walking AWAY from you, they aren’t a threat to you.
Good. He was guilty. He should get the death penalty
Will there still be riots?
Recko we'll see. But people riot when their home team wins a championship. So any excuse will do for some folks.
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