Chicago's police cover-up culture is infamous, but in a somewhat surprising twist, one of its cover-ups has finally been brought to light!
According to the Chicago Sun Times, three Chicago police offices have been indicted in regards to the Laquan McDonald fatal shooting investigation.
Detective David March and Patrol Officers Joseph Walsh and Thomas Gaffney — who are either current or former Chicago officers — were charged by the state for conspiracy, obstruction and misconduct.
“The indictment makes clear that these defendants did more than merely obey an unofficial ‘code of silence,’ rather it alleges that they lied about what occurred to prevent independent criminal investigators from learning the truth,” said Special Prosecutor Patricia Brown Holmes via a news release.
Laquan McDonald was shot 16 times in 2014 after police we called about McDonald walking around with a three-inch knife. McDonald didn't drop the knife when commanded to by police; instead he turned his back on them, which is when Jason Van Dyke, one of the officers, shot McDonald.
McDonald spun to the ground, and as he bled on the pavement, Van Dyke continued shooting at him.
Van Dyke has received criticism for shooting right after arriving on the scene. He shot his first bullet just six seconds after stepping out of his car.
The reason these three officers are in trouble is because of what happened next. After any police action, there's paperwork. Officers are meant to report what happened.
But this time, official reports were full of lies.
The officer trio stand accused of repeatedly lying (including alleging that McDonald committed battery against the officers) and mischaracterizing events to make it seem as if Van Dyke was in the right.
The officers were also accused of attempting to avoid a thorough and effective investigation in regards to McDonald’s murder. It is expected that the three defendants will be arraigned July 10 at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
Van Dyke is facing first-degree murder charges, and a sentence of 20 years to life.
For the full indictment document, please go here.
