Chicago Cops Get Immunity, Must Testify At Van Dyke Trial

Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan presides over a 2016 hearing in the murder case against Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald.
Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan presides over a 2016 hearing in the murder case against Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald. Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune pool
Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan presides over a 2016 hearing in the murder case against Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald.
Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan presides over a 2016 hearing in the murder case against Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald. Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune pool

Chicago Cops Get Immunity, Must Testify At Van Dyke Trial

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A prosecutor says several Chicago police officers will be granted immunity from prosecution to compel them to testify at the murder trial of a former colleague accused of fatally shooting a black teenager.

It wasn’t clear Monday which officers will be called to testify at the trial of Jason Van Dyke.

Three of the officers who were present the night in 2014 when Van Dyke fatally shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald are accused of falsifying their accounts of the shooting.

Cook County Circuit Judge Vincent Gaughan has indicated that any officer given federal and state immunity will be required to testify at Van Dyke’s trial, scheduled to begin next month.

Dashcam video shows Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times. The video sparked massive protests and prompted federal and local investigations.