Former Chicago Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Laquan McDonald Sentenced To 6 3/4 Years In Prison

Former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was sentenced to 6 ¾ years for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Jason Van Dyke sentenced

Judge Vincent Gaughan issued his sentence Friday for Van Dyke who was convicted in October of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery, one for each shot Van Dyke fired that struck McDonald.

Details of sentencing

Estimates of the sentence Van Dyke might have gotten had varied wildly.

The murder charge carries a prison term of four to 20 years, but Gaughan also could have given Van Dyke probation for that count.

An aggravated battery charge carries a sentence of six to 30 years behind bars and does not allow for probation alone.

The sentencing comes a day after another judge acquitted three other officers who had been accused of covering up for Van Dyke and lying to support his version of events.

Follow Unheard Voices on Instagram