Illinois FOP President on Van Dyke trial: “I would’ve fired also”

By Nick Gale, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO) — The murder trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke picks up again on Monday where the defense will take center stage.

The prosecution rested Thursday afternoon and jurors have Friday off. The defense will argue that Van Dyke feared for his life and followed protocol when he opened fire on Laquan McDonald, who was high and had a knife in his hand.

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police President Chris Southwood tells Big John and Ramblin’ Ray on WLS, that it appears to him that McDonald was a threat.

“I’m not going to sit here and try to pretend I can be in the mind of Jason Van Dyke that night, but I can look at the video over and over again and I put myself in his shoes and what would I have done and there’s no question in my mind, as a police officer, I would have fired also with out a doubt, without a moments hesitation,” Southwood said.

Earlier in the week, Van Dyke’s partner said the dashcam video was only one view point, and from his and Van Dykes viewpoint, McDonald was a threat.

It’s unclear if Van Dyke will take the stand in his own defense.

Copyright 2018 WLS-AM News​

Tags: