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Chicago police officer's lawyer wants murder charge dropped

Posted January 10, 2017 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - A lawyer for a Chicago police officer charged in Laquan McDonald's shooting death is asking that the first-degree murder charge be dismissed.

Attorney Daniel Herbert filed a motion Tuesday. He contends that statements Jason Van Dyke and other officers gave investigators helped build the case against Van Dyke even after the officers were assured they wouldn't be used "against them in any criminal proceedings."

Van Dyke, who is white, shot the black, 17-year-old McDonald 16 times in 2014.

Judge Vincent Gaughan hasn't made a ruling. The special prosecutor in the case, Joseph McMahon, says he'll respond to the motion by the next court date, Feb. 3.

Gaughan ordered the release of McDonald's juvenile records to Herbert, but hasn't ruled whether the material can be used at trial.

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