Former Detective David March, from left, Chicago Police Officer Thomas Gaffney and former officer Joseph Walsh appear at a pre-trial hearing with Judge Domenica A. Stephenson at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Prosecutors have laid out their case against the three Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
CHICAGO (AP) - A judge has refused to dismiss the case against three Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up surrounding the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald.
Monday's ruling by Cook County Judge Domenica Stephenson means the bench trial should start as scheduled Nov. 26.
Defense attorneys had attacked the prosecution's case as a sham and asked that it be tossed completely.
Officer Thomas Gaffney, former Detective David March and ex-Officer Joseph Walsh are charged with conspiracy, official misconduct and obstruction of justice.
Prosecutors allege they said falsely in their reports that the black teenager had battered, assaulted and attacked white officer Jason Van Dyke, who shot McDonald 16 times in 2014. A jury last month convicted Van Dyke of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery.
Former Detective David March listens during a pre-trial hearing with Judge Domenica A. Stephenson at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Prosecutors have laid out their case against March and two other Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press
Former Chicago Police Officer Joseph Walsh sits at a pre-trial hearing with Judge Domenica A. Stephenson at Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Prosecutors have laid out their case against Walsh and two other Chicago police officers accused of participating in a cover-up of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)
The Associated Press