Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke attends a post-conviction hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, December 14, 2018.

Trial and conviction of ex-cop Jason Van Dyke for the murder of Laquan McDonald

By Satchel Price | February 3, 2022 at 12:06 PM

Ex-Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was released from custody Thursday morning after serving more than three years in prison for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke served under half of an 81-month sentence for the murder of the 17-year-old McDonald in an on-duty shooting on the city’s Southwest Side.

His 81-month sentence was handed down after his 2018 conviction for second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery — one for each bullet he fired at the 17-year-old McDonald.

Below, read a selection of coverage from the Sun-Times dating back to 2015, when video of McDonald’s murder was first released to the public.

24 Total Updates Since
November 19, 2015 12:00 AM

Follow this stream

February 08, 2022 12:35 PM

Ja’Mal Green, William Calloway fined, ordered to stay away from federal courthouse after Van Dyke protest

By Stefano Esposito and Manny Ramos

Community activist Ja’Mal Green was one of nine protesters arrested last week inside the Dirksen Federal Building.
February 04, 2022 02:50 PM

Arrested protesters demanding federal charges against Jason Van Dyke say they have no plans to stop

By Stefano Esposito

The “Laquan Nine” were arrested Thursday after linking arms inside the Federal Building in the Loop.
February 04, 2022 12:00 PM

On Jason Van Dyke case, why is U.S. attorney’s office silent on civil rights charges?

By Mary Mitchell

The ex-Chicago cop’s early release from prison after his murder conviction for killing Laquan McDonald puts the spotlight on federal prosecutors over calls for such charges.
February 04, 2022 06:17 AM

Ex-Chicago cop Jason Van Dyke released from prison for murder of Laquan McDonald — to public outcry for him to be back behind bars

By David Struett, Madeline Kenney, and 1 more

Ex-Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was released from custody Thursday morning after serving more than three years in prison for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald.
February 03, 2022 10:05 PM

Protesters arrested calling for federal charges against Van Dyke: ‘We’re gonna shut down the entire city of Chicago’

By Madeline Kenney and Tom Schuba

The protesters who were detained were among a larger group who delivered a letter to U.S. Attorney John Lausch demanding federal civil rights charges against the former officer, who was released from state custody hours earlier.
February 02, 2022 07:14 PM

Feds were investigating Jason Van Dyke in 2014. Why didn’t they charge him?

By Andy Grimm

On the day of his release from prison for the murder of Laquan McDonald, activists are calling for federal charges that could send Jason Van Dyke back to prison.
January 28, 2022 01:06 PM

Jason Van Dyke’s family also in the dark as his release from prison nears

By Michael Sneed

Little is being said about the upcoming release of the Chicago police officer who shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald to death in 2014.
January 14, 2022 02:58 PM

Jason Van Dyke to be released from prison Feb. 3

By Andy Grimm and Jon Seidel

Former Chicago police officer spent more than three years in prison for the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
October 15, 2019 05:30 PM

Jason Van Dyke retires from Chicago Police Department

By Andy Grimm

The former CPD officer was convicted of the murder of Laquan McDonald nearly a year ago.
January 18, 2019 09:09 PM

Van Dyke gets 81 months for McDonald murder, sparking praise, condemnation

By Andy Grimm, Jon Seidel, and 1 more

In his ruling, the judge cut a break for Jason Van Dyke, sentencing him only on the second-degree murder charge, not 16 counts of aggravated battery.