Jason Van Dyke's lawyers file motion to replace judge in Laquan McDonald murder trial

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Friday, July 27, 2018
Jason Van Dyke's lawyers file motion to replace judge in Laquan McDonald murder trial
The lawyers representing Jason Van Dyke filed a motion Wednesday for a change of judge in the Chicago police officer's trial for the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The lawyers representing Jason Van Dyke filed a motion Wednesday for a change of judge in the Chicago police officer's trial for the 2014 murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

In the motion, Van Dyke's attorneys argued Judge Vincent Gaughan is prejudiced against a change of place request they filed, and said judge denied the request without considering the evidence they presented.

A hearing is set for Tuesday in which a judge will decide whether Gaughan or another judge will hear the defense's change of venue motion. If it's decided that the motion will be heard by a judge other than Gaughan, that other judge will be designated by the chief judge or through another process.

The change of venue motion will be heard on Aug. 3. Van Dyke's trial will begin on Sept. 5, 2018 in Chicago.

Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder in the 2014 shooting more than two years ago.

The shooting made international headlines when a judge forced the city to release a dashcam video showing Van Dyke shooting the teen 16 times. The video sparked massive protests, cost the Chicago police superintendent his job and promoted federal and local investigations.

For now, the trial is set to be held at George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago.