Chicago cop found guilty of 2nd degree murder

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M-Quigley
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Chicago cop found guilty of 2nd degree murder

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(CNN)Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Van Dyke, who was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, sat impassively in a dark suit -- his shoulders slumped -- as the verdicts were read in the high-profile case. At one point, he sipped water from a bottle. He was found not guilty of official misconduct.
The officer's wife sat stoically, arms folded, as the long verdict was delivered. His father lowered his head while some members of the McDonald family held hands.
Van Dyke's bond was revoked and sentencing was scheduled for October 31. He left the courtroom with an officer.

Though he was originally charged with first-degree murder, jurors were instructed Thursday that they also could consider second-degree murder.

The panel of eight women and four men -- seven white, one black, three Hispanic and one Asian -- began deliberations Thursday afternoon.

"This is a victory for America," the Rev. Marvin Hunter, McDonald's great uncle, told reporters. "America was on trial here and people all over America and all across the world have been waiting to see what was going to happen."
Members of the jury later told reporters that Van Dyke's testimony was not credible and seemed rehearsed. The jurors, who did not give their names, said the veteran police officer did nothing to deescalate the situation that led up to the fatal shooting.
Members of the jury later told reporters that Van Dyke's testimony was not credible and seemed rehearsed. The jurors, who did not give their names, said the veteran police officer did nothing to deescalate the situation that led up to the fatal shooting.
One juror noted as "the turning point" testimony that Van Dyke told his partner, "Oh my God, we're going to have to shoot that guy," before arriving at the scene. Another juror, a black woman, said race did not factor in their deliberations in the racially charged case.
"We didn't come here because of race," she said. "We came here for right and wrong."

Police union says conviction will be appealed

Van Dyke, 40, was the first Chicago police officer to be charged with first-degree murder since 1980.
The officer faces between four and 20 years in prison and is eligible for probation for the second-degree murder conviction, prosecutor Joseph McMahon said. The aggravated battery with a firearm convictions carry a sentence of six to 30 years with no probation.
"This is a gratifying verdict," McMahon said. "Today our Justice system fulfilled its obligation to justice for all."
Defense attorney Daniel Herbert likened his client at trial to a boxer entering the ring with hands tied behind his back.
"We don't believe the evidence supported the conviction," he said.
Kevin Graham, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said the conviction will be appealed.
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