Judge To Decide If Police Officer’s Trial Stays In Chicago

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AP Photo/WBEZ
16 shots share tile
AP Photo/WBEZ

Judge To Decide If Police Officer’s Trial Stays In Chicago

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A judge is expected to decide if the murder trial of a white Chicago police officer charged in the shooting death of a black teenager should be moved out of the city.

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan has said he’ll announce his decision Monday morning.

Defense attorneys requested that the trial be moved because the extensive publicity since the 2015 release of the video that shows Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times makes it impossible to find impartial jurors needed for a fair trial.

But after attorneys were able to select a jury in less than a week, it seems likely that Gaughan will keep the trial in Chicago.

If that happens, prosecutors could begin their opening statements to jurors Monday morning.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates and get caught up on the trial with the 16 Shots podcast.