Possible Chicago Police Cover-Up Case To Go To Grand Jury

Possible Chicago Police Cover-Up Case To Go To Grand Jury

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

CHICAGO (AP) — A grand jury will consider if Chicago police lied in connection with the fatal shooting of a black teenager by a white officer.

Special prosecutor Patricia Brown Holmes said Monday that the grand jury is the fairest way to handle the case instead of making charging decisions on her own. She was appointed in July to investigate whether there was a possible Chicago police cover-up in the October 2014 shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Holmes is a former Cook County judge.

Cook County Judge LeRoy Martin Jr. said he would convene the special grand jury to hear evidence.

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with murder in McDonald’s death. He is accused of shooting the teen 16 times. Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty.