Former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was convicted in 2018 of killing 16-year-old Laquan McDonald in 2014, might be launched from jail subsequent month, in keeping with native reviews.
Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree homicide and 16 counts of aggravated battery in McDonald’s killing. In 2019, he was sentenced to 81 months in jail, or virtually seven years.
Sources instructed FOX 32 Chicago, nevertheless, that Van Dyke is being launched early in February on good conduct.
On this Jan. 18, 2019 file picture, former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke attends his sentencing listening to on the Leighton Legal Courtroom Constructing in Chicago, for the 2014 taking pictures of Laquan McDonald.
(Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune by way of AP, Pool)
"Some media seems to be reporting that Mr. Van Dyke's release ‘early’ is extraordinary. It's not," legal professional Jennifer Blagg, who dealt with Van Dyke's since-withdrawn enchantment in 2019, instructed Daily Post Digital in a Saturday assertion, including that every prisoner inside an Illinois Division or Corrections facility convicted of second-degree homicide should serve not less than 50% of their sentence in the event that they earn day by day, good conduct credit.
"Hence, his out date was always going to be around this time period or earlier had he been allowed to earn additional good-time credit," Blagg defined.
CHICAGO COP GETS 81-MONTH SENTENCE IN LAQUAN MCDONALD MURDER
Van Dyke "does not want publicity," she mentioned. "As I have previously stated, this case has taken a huge toll on the family of Laquan, the City of Chicago, and Jason and his family. Jason accepted the verdict and sentence, as he did not appeal. Jason served the majority of his time in solitary confinement and never complained. I don’t presume to speak for Jason, but it is my sincere hope that he and his family are given their privacy as they welcome him back into their lives."
Van Dyke initially tried to enchantment his sentence in 2019 however withdrew the enchantment a 12 months later.
On this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 file picture, Tiffany Van Dyke, spouse of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, attends his sentencing listening to on the Leighton Legal Courtroom Constructing, in Chicago, for the 2014 taking pictures of Laquan McDonald.
(Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune by way of AP)
Van Dyke’s legal professional filed a movement with the courtroom Sept. 29, 2020, asking that his enchantment be dropped. Blagg mentioned on the time that Van Dyke determined to withdraw his enchantment as a result of he’s attempting to maneuver on together with his life.
"He thought it was in the best interest of all the parties involved, including the McDonald family, that there be some finality," Blagg mentioned.
JASON VAN DYKE TRIAL: CHICAGO COP FOUND GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER OF LAQUAN MCDONALD
The Rev. Marvin Hunter, McDonald’s uncle and pastor of Grace Memorial Baptist Church, instructed the Chicago Tribune that he hopes Van Dyke has "learned the errors of his ways."
"I have always asked for justice and not revenge," he mentioned. "We got as much justice you could get with the players that were there at the time he was on trial. The system needs to be changed, it needs to be overhauled."
Marvin Hunter, Laquan McDonald's great-uncle, speaks to the media at a church in Chicago after responsible verdicts had been delivered within the homicide trial of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke on Friday, Oct. 5, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Van Dyke shot McDonald in October 2014 because the 17-year-old walked away from police on a Southwest Facet road whereas holding a knife. Sprint cam footage from the incident exhibits Van Dyke firing 16 photographs at McDonald, prompted protests, a Justice Division investigation of the Chicago Police Division and the firing of the police superintendent, amongst different adjustments.
CHICAGO POLICE MAKE 56+ CARJACKING ARRESTS, RECOVER 284 ILLEGAL GUNS IN 2022 SO FAR, TOP COP SAYS
Witnesses accused Van Dyke of utilizing racial slurs and utilizing extreme pressure in opposition to suspects. Certainly one of McDonald's relations mentioned in the course of the trial that Van Dyke killed the teenager "without provocation," and that McDonald was simply beginning to flip his life round when Van Dyke fatally shot him.
Van Dyke mentioned in 2019 that he prayed "daily for the soul of Laquan McDonald."
Cook dinner County Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar describes particulars of a diagram of bullet entry and exit wounds discovered on the physique of Laquan McDonald. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
"I will have to live with this the rest of my life ... taking it to my grave," he mentioned, including: "I was a police officer trying to make dangerous decisions. No one wants to take a life."
Van Dyke's spouse and daughters had pleaded for leniency in letters submitted to the choose forward of his trial.
Certainly one of his daughters, Kaylee Van Dyke, blamed the media for shaming "police officers for doing their jobs" whereas taking the stand in 2019.
The Cook dinner County State's Legal professional's workplace didn't instantly reply to an inquiry from Daily Post.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
All Images and Video are Copyright to their Respected Owners
