16 Shots

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Episode 31: Van Dyke’s Release From Prison Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

Jason Van Dyke is being released from prison after serving just 40 months of his 81-month sentence for the killing of Laquan McDonald. What happens next? We hear from McDonald’s family about Van Dyke’s release and their reflections on the last three years. We also look into the calls to now bring federal civil rights charges against Van Dyke.

Ep 30: 81 Months Jan 19, 2019

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Judge Vincent Gaughan sentences Jason Van Dyke to 81 months in prison. It means he’ll likely serve about 3 years. The officer celebrates with his attorneys. Young activists are angry and struggle to make sense of it.

Ep 29: Not Guilty Jan 18, 2019

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Judge Domenica Stephenson finds 3 Chicago police officers did not lie in their reports to cover-up for Jason Van Dyke the night he killed Laquan McDonald. Defense attorneys call her courageous. Activist Will Calloway says the code of silence extends to judges. And we hear from Van Dyke jurors as his sentencing approaches.

Ep 28: Consensus or Conspiracy? Dec 07, 2018

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Defense attorneys present just one witness and some documents. That comes after 7 prosecution witnesses over 4 days. The sides make their closing arguments and Judge Domenica Stephenson says she’ll announce a verdict December 19.

Ep 27: Cover-up Trial Begins Nov 28, 2018

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Attorneys give their opening statements in the conspiracy trial of officers who were on the scene when Jason Van Dyke killed Laquan McDonald and a detective who led the investigation of the shooting. We take a closer look at the judge who will be deciding guilt in the case, Cook County Judge Domenica Stephenson, and her relationship with one of the defense attorneys.

Ep 26: Bad Paper Nov 21, 2018

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A month and a half after Jason Van Dyke was convicted of murder, three other Chicago police officers face charges of conspiring to cover-up for him. Prosecutors say the officers’ reports exaggerated the threat Laquan McDonald posed. Defense attorneys say this was a “good case with a little bit of bad paper.

Update: The trial has been moved back one day to Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.

Ep 25: Benedictions Oct 11, 2018

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On the Sunday after the verdict, we go to two Chicago churches in very different neighborhoods and hear their very different takes on Van Dyke, the shooting and the trial. We hear from Laquan’s friends and are surprised at what we find when we go back to the scene of the shooting at 41st and Pulaski.

Ep 24: Inside The Jury Room Oct 06, 2018

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The jurors talk to reporters about why they convicted Van Dyke. Activists express thanks for the guilty verdict and Van Dyke’s attorney Dan Herbert says cops are now going to stay in their cars.

Ep 23: Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder Oct 05, 2018

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Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke has been found guilty of second-degree murder and on all 16 counts of aggravated battery.

Ep 22: Closing Arguments Oct 04, 2018

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Lawyers gave their closing arguments Thursday in the murder trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.