Prosecution Rests Case In Jason Van Dyke Murder Trial

CHICAGO, IL -- After four days of intense testimony and more than 20 witnesses, the state rested its case in the murder trial of white Chicago police officer accused of shooting a black teen. The defense is expected to begin presenting evidence starting Monday. Jason Van Dyke is charged with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014, which prosecutors maintain was racially motivated.

Jurors heard from FBI special ballistics expert Scott Patterson, who said that Van Dyke fired his Smith & Wesson model No. 5943 service weapon at a "deliberate and methodical" rate at McDonald. Van Dyke has said that he was in fear for his life because the teen was armed with a knife.

Patterson testified that 14.2 seconds pass from the first visual evidence of the gun being fired to the last. Laquan McDonald was on the ground for 12.6 of those seconds.

Jurors were also shown video of an FBI agent firing 16 rounds from an identical weapon at different speeds. Firing the weapon as fast as he could, the first set of shots was timed at 3.## seconds. The second set of shots was spread out over 14.2 seconds matching the dashcam video, which Patterson said was a “deliberate and methodical rate.”

A man driving his son to a hospital shortly before 10 p.m. Oct. 20, 2014 happened to be driving 41st Street and Pulaski Road. Jose Torres said McDonald has his hands at his side and was walking away from police when the gunfire started.

Torres said there were more gunshots fired at the teen when he was on the ground than when he was standing.

“[McDonald] seemed like he was in pain,” Torres said.

The prosecution’s use of deadly force by police expert on Urey Patrick testified that Van Dyke kept firing shots “long beyond the point of being reasonable.” While McDonald holding a knife was a “risk” there was no indication that the teen was getting ready to attack officers.

Asked by lead defense attorney Daniel Herbert if the video accurately captured what his client was seeing and experiencing the night of Oct. 20, 2014, Patrick responded that he had no way of knowing what Van Dyke was thinking.

More on Patch:

• Cook County Medical Examiner Says 24 Holes Found In Laquan's Body
• Van Dyke's Partner Testifies Laquan McDonald Was A 'Threat'
• Testimony Begins In Jason Van Dyke Trial
• Jury Will Decide Fate Of Jason Van Dyke
• Jury Selected In Jason Van Dyke Trial
• 'I'm Not A Racist,' Says Chicago Cop In Laquan McDonald
• Police Reports of 'Lunging, Knife-Swinging' Laquan McDonald Contradict Video
• 3 Chicago Cops Indicted In Alleged Cover-Up Of Laquan McDonald Shooting

Photo: Use-of-police-deadly-force expert Urey Patrick. Associated Press | Antonio Perez Chicago Tribune: Pool