10-08-2018, 11:21 AM
![[Image: jasonvandykelaquanmcdonald.jpg?quality=8...225&crop=1]](https://tribwgntv.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/jasonvandykelaquanmcdonald.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=400&h=225&crop=1)
Jurors told reporters that most of them thought former officer Van Dyke was guilty when they entered deliberations but were initially split over whether to convict him of first- or second-degree murder.
In the end, after deliberating for about 7½ hours, they settled on second-degree murder, finding that Van Dyke was frightened when he unloaded his gun into Laquan McDonald, but that his fear was unreasonable.
Judge Gaughan ordered Van Dyke’s bail revoked at the request of special prosecutor Joseph McMahon, who noted that the officer faced a minimum of six years in prison.
“He now stands before this court a convicted felon,” said McMahon, the Kane County state’s attorney who was appointed to handle the prosecution because of Cook County prosecutors’ conflicts of interest.
Gaughan could set a sentencing date for Van Dyke when he returns to court Oct. 31.
Van Dyke's attorneys plan to appeal the conviction.
More: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local...story.html