Judge Allows Temporary Special Protection for Officer Van Dyke

Officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with murder in the October 2014 shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald

A judge has allowed the Chicago police officer charged with Laquan McDonald's murder to the protection of Cook County sheriff's deputies as he enters and exits his next court hearing.

Officer Jason Van Dyke's attorney, Daniel Herbert, made the request in a Wednesday court filing, citing that Van Dyke worries about what someone could do to him before he sees the judge.

The judge will not make a final decision on mandating the special protection for all future court appearances, but it was decided Thursday that it would be allowed until his next scheduled hearing June 2.

In January, protesters pushed and surrounded the officer as he entered the Leighton Criminal Court Building to face a judge, chanting “16 shots" and screaming “murderer!”

Van Dyke faces murder charges for the October 2014 shooting death of 17-year-old McDonald and has pleaded not guilty.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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