Marvin Hunter, great-uncle of Laquan McDonald, reacts after Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Jan. 18, 2019.
Tiffany Van Dyke, center, and daughters are escorted out after Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced her husband former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Jan. 18, 2019.
Defense attorney Daniel Herbert addresses reporters after the sentencing of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Jan. 18, 2019.
Activist William Calloway addresses reporters after the sentencing of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago.
Special prosecutor Joseph McMahon addresses reporters after the sentencing of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke reacts with attorneys Tammy Wendt and Daniel Herbert at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke and his attorney Daniel Herbert leave the courtroom after Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke reads a statement at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Police officers watch the live stream as Judge Vincent Gaughan delivers sentence for former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Jan. 18, 2019.
Tiffany Van Dyke, wife of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, cries as she testifies at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke cries as daughter Kaylee, a junior in high school, testifies at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Jason Van Dyke’s father, Owen, takes the stand at Jason Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Jan. 18, 2019.
Former FOP president Dean Angelo Sr., a retired 37-year Chicago police officer, testifies at Jason Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing on Jan. 18, 2019.
Keith Thompson, Jason Van Dyke’s brother-in-law, testifies at Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Chicago mayoral candidate Amara Enyia visits the courthouse as Judge Vincent Gaughan holds sentencing hearing for former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke on Jan. 18, 2019.
Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson talks to press before Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Jan. 18, 2019.
Edward Nance, who alleged he was roughed up by Officer Jason Van Dyke during a traffic stop on the South Side in 2007, testifies at Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Eric Breathett testifies about being pulled over by Officer Jason Van Dyke in 2009, at Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing on Jan. 18, 2019.
Deaf motorist Alberto Luces testifies in sign language at former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Prosecutors called Jeremy Mayers testifies former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke choked him in 2011, during Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019.
Tiffany Van Dyke, wife of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, attends Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019.
Jeremy Mayers testifies about how former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke handled him in 2011 during Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019.
As their first witness, prosecutors called Vidale Joy, who said in August 2005 he had a run-in with police and former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, during Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke and his attorney Daniel Herbert talk during Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Friday, Jan. 18, 2019.
Prosecutor Joe McMahon speaks during at former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke under watch from a Cook County Sheriff’s deputy during his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019 in Chicago.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke enters the courtroom for his sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago.
Jason Van Dyke is escorted into the courtroom at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Dec. 14, 2018.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke listens during his hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Dec. 14, 2018.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke and his attorney Daniel Herbert attend Van Dyke’s sentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Jan. 18, 2019, in Chicago.
Attorney Daniel Herbert speaks to his client, former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, as he is prepared to be escorted out following his hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Dec. 14, 2018.
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is escorted out of court following his hearing on Dec. 14, 2018.
Jason Van Dyke appears before Judge Vincent Gaughan for a presentencing hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Dec. 14, 2018.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, left, is led away after his guilty verdict in his trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 5, 2018.
Booking photo of convicted Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke from Oct. 5, 2018, the day of his convictions.
Three jurors, who didn’t want to be named, speak about their experiences in the trial for Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, after the verdict at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 5, 2018.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, center, leaves the Leighton Criminal Court Building at the end of the day after closing arguments were completed and the jury began deliberating in his murder trial in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald on Oct. 4, 2018, in Chicago.
Activist William Calloway, center, and the Rev. Gregory Livingston, far right, sit in the gallery as they watch closing statements in the murder trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 4, 2018.
Prosecutor Jody Gleason talks about Officer Jason Van Dyke firing his gun, during closing statements in the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald on Oct. 4, 2018.
Owen Van Dyke, center, watches at the trial of his son, Officer Jason Van Dyke, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 4, 2018.
Prosecutor Jody Gleason begins closing statements at the trial of Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 4, 2018.
Dean Angelo, former president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, addresses reporters after attending the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 3, 2018.
Reporters and members of the public attend the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke on Oct. 3, 2018, in Chicago.
Barry Brodd, an expert in police use of force hired by the defense, holds a toy knife and rushes toward attorney Daniel Herbert as they re-enact a scene for the jury at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Oct. 2, 2018. Using a tape measure, Herbert had Brodd stand 13 feet away — the distance between Laquan McDonald and police Officer Jason Van Dyke when the first shot was fired.
Yvette Patterson testifies during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald on Sept. 27, 2018. She testified that she encountered McDonald in her alley at 3 a.m. on the day of the shooting and called 911.
Rudy Barillas, left, the truck driver who called 911, testifies during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald, at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 26, 2018.
Owen Van Dyke, center, attends the trial for his son Officer Jason Van Dyke at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 26, 2018.
An animated video portraying Officer Jason Van Dyke shooting Laquan McDonald is shown to the jury on Sept. 25, 2018.
A computer animation of Laquan McDonald’s body with “laser-based analysis” is shown to the jury during the trial for the shooting death of McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 25, 2018.
A group of protesters from the United Methodist Church, Good Kids Mad City and Community Renewal Society prays and chants during a worship service and protest outside the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 24, 2018.
Prosecutor Jody Gleason points to a medical examiner’s diagram showing the wounds to Laquan McDonald, during the trial for the shooting death of McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 24, 2018.
Tina Hunter, mother of Laquan McDonald, watches the trial for the shooting death of McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 24, 2018.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke and wife Tiffany hold hands as they’re escorted from the Leighton Criminal Court Building after the prosecution rested its case, on Sept. 20, 2018.
Special prosecutor Jospeh McMahon rests his case as he stands before Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 20, 2018.
Tina Hunter, center, wipes her eyes as she watches from the gallery during the trial for the shooting death of her son at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 20, 2018.
Urey Patrick, a use-of-force expert hired by prosecutors, testifies during the Jason Van Dyke trial in Chicago on Sept. 20, 2018.
Scott Patterson, an FBI ballistics expert, testifies during the fourth day of the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald, on Sept. 20, 2018.
Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar explains a diagram of bullet entry and exit wounds found on the body of Laquan McDonald, as it is shown to the jury on Sept. 19, 2018.
Cook County Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar, who is illuminated by the light of a computer screen, describes the bullet wounds Laquan McDonald suffered during the trial for the shooting death of McDonald on Sept. 19, 2018.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson attends the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 19, 2018.
Gregory Brate, a state police firearms examiner, holds the 9 mm semi-automatic handgun used by Officer Jason Van Dyke, during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald on Sept. 19, 2018.
Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar, far left, describes the bullet wounds that Laquan McDonald suffered, during the trial of Officer Jason Van Dyke at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 19, 2018.
Assistant special prosecutor Joseph Cullen questions a witness during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald on Sept. 19, 2018, in Chicago.
A photo provided by the Chicago Police Department of clothing belonging to Laquan McDonald taken on the day McDonald was fatally shot, is shown to jurors Sept. 18, 2018.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke listens to testimony during his trial Sept. 18, 2018.
An image of a prosecutor’s exhibit shows one of the 16 bullet casings, taken by the Chicago Police Department, on the day Laquan McDonald was fatally shot.
Jason Van Dyke’s 9 mm semi-automatic Smith and Wesson, which was used in the shooting of Laquan Mcdonald, appears at the trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 18, 2018.
Xavier Torres testifies during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 18, 2018. Torres said he heard gunshots and saw Laquan McDonald fall to the street, followed by a pause and more shots.
Police Officer David Ivankovich testifies during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 18, 2018. Ivankovich testified how he and his partner were responding with a Taser to the shooting scene on the night Laquan McDonald was killed.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke listens during his trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, on Sept. 18, 2018.
Tiffany Van Dyke observes her husband’s trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 18, 2018.
People in the courtroom listen during the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018.
Sheriff deputies watch the room at the back of the courtroom during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Sept. 17, 2018.
Laquan McDonald’s great-aunt, Carlissa Hunter, takes the stand to testify during the trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Sept. 17, 2018.
Daniel Herbert, lead lawyer for Jason Van Dyke, motions with the 3‑inch blade Laquan McDonald carried the night he was fatally shot by the Chicago police officer, during opening statements in Van Dyke’s trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018, in Chicago.
Special prosecutor Joseph McMahon holds the 3‑inch blade Laquan McDonald carried the night he was fatally shot, during opening statements in the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018, in Chicago.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke listens before his trial for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018, in Chicago.
Protesters gather as Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018, for the start of his trial in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.
Protesters gather as Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 17, 2018, for the start of his trial in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was tried and convicted in 2018 in the 2014 shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
(Chicago Tribune)
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Mike Beckles is a former Jamaican police corporal, business owner, avid researcher, and blogger. He is also a black achiever honoree, and publisher of the blog chatt-a-box.com. You may subscribe to his blogs free of charge.