Police union: 'Sham trial and shameful verdict' for Van Dyke
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police blasted the jury verdict finding Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the shooting of Laquan McDonald - a sentiment shared by many members of a Far South Side neighborhood where many police officers live.
In a statement issued Friday, the state FOP - based in Springfield - decried the ruling.
"This is a day I never thought I'd see in America, where 12 ordinary citizens were duped into saving ... self-serving politicians at the expense of a dedicated public servant," the statement from State Lodge President Chris Southwood said.
"This sham trial and shameful verdict is a message to every law enforcement officer in America that it's not the perpetrator in front of you that you need to worry about, it's the political operatives stabbing you in the back."
The head of the FOP in Chicago, Kevin Graham, was more cautious in his response to the verdict.
• See the Chicago Sun-Times' full report at chicago.suntimes.com.