Jason Van Dyke Sentenced To 6 Years, 9 Months In Prison

CHICAGO, IL — Former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was sentenced to 81 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke was the first Chicago police officer in 50 years to be charged with murder for an on-duty incident.

A jury convicted Van Dyke of second-degree murder and sixteen counts of aggravated battery last fall in a trial that drew racial lines when a police dash-cam video was released showing McDonald, who is white, firing 16 times at the black teen, who was carrying a knife.

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan handed down the sentence in what amounts to six-and three-quarter years. The judge said he based his decision on the more serious charge of second degree murder, and not the 16 counts of aggravated battery.

Prosecutors were asking for 18 to 20 years; the defense asked for probation.

The sentence came late Friday afternoon following a day of emotional testimony, including a statement by McDonald’s great uncle Rev. Marvin Hunter, written from the murdered teen’s perspective, police union officials, past arrestees, and Van Dyke’s wife and young daughters.

Hunter said the light sentence given to Van Dyke had reduced his nephew’s life to that of a second-class citizen in a fiery statement made during a post-sentencing press conference.

"I've been told time and time again that the citizenry of the county of Cook is not going to be satisfied with a sentence that's anything south of 20 years," said Pastor Marvin Hunter, McDonald's great uncle. "However I want to say to everyone — everyone in the city of Chicago and across this country — that if they had sentenced him to 1 minute, it is a victory. It is a victory because what has happened in this courtroom today has never happened in the history of this county and it sets a precedent and it sends a strong message to unjust police officers that now you can and will go to jail if you're caught lying, if you're caught breaking the law."

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson also issued a joint written statement about the ex-cop’s sentence:

“Today's sentencing marks the end of a court case, but our work to bring lasting reform to the Chicago Police Department continues. While a jury and judge have rendered their decisions, all of us who love Chicago and call this city home must continue to work together, listen to each other, and repair relationships that will make Chicago safer and stronger for generations to come."

~ Photo by Antonio Perez-Pool/Getty Images