Jason Van Dyke is being released from prison after serving just 40 months of his 81-month sentence for the killing of Laquan McDonald. What happens next? We hear from McDonald’s family about Van Dyke’s release and their reflections on the last three years. We also look into the calls to now bring federal civil rights charges against Van Dyke.

Episode 31: Van Dyke’s Release From Prison

Judge Vincent Gaughan sentences Jason Van Dyke to 81 months in prison. It means he’ll likely serve about 3 years. The officer celebrates with his attorneys. Young activists are angry and struggle to make sense of it.

Ep 30: 81 Months

Judge Domenica Stephenson finds 3 Chicago police officers did not lie in their reports to cover-up for Jason Van Dyke the night he killed Laquan McDonald. Defense attorneys call her courageous. Activist Will Calloway says the code of silence extends to judges. And we hear from Van Dyke jurors as his sentencing approaches.

Ep 29: Not Guilty

Defense attorneys present just one witness and some documents. That comes after 7 prosecution witnesses over 4 days. The sides make their closing arguments and Judge Domenica Stephenson says she’ll announce a verdict December 19.

Ep 28: Consensus or Conspiracy?

Attorneys give their opening statements in the conspiracy trial of officers who were on the scene when Jason Van Dyke killed Laquan McDonald and a detective who led the investigation of the shooting. We take a closer look at the judge who will be deciding guilt in the case, Cook County Judge Domenica Stephenson, and her relationship with one of the defense attorneys.

Ep 27: Cover-up Trial Begins

A month and a half after Jason Van Dyke was convicted of murder, three other Chicago police officers face charges of conspiring to cover-up for him. Prosecutors say the officers’ reports exaggerated the threat Laquan McDonald posed. Defense attorneys say this was a “good case with a little bit of bad paper.Update: The trial has been moved back one day to Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018.

Ep 26: Bad Paper

On the Sunday after the verdict, we go to two Chicago churches in very different neighborhoods and hear their very different takes on Van Dyke, the shooting and the trial. We hear from Laquan’s friends and are surprised at what we find when we go back to the scene of the shooting at 41st and Pulaski.

Ep 25: Benedictions

The jurors talk to reporters about why they convicted Van Dyke. Activists express thanks for the guilty verdict and Van Dyke’s attorney Dan Herbert says cops are now going to stay in their cars.

Ep 24: Inside The Jury Room

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke has been found guilty of second-degree murder and on all 16 counts of aggravated battery.

Ep 23: Guilty Of Second-Degree Murder

Lawyers gave their closing arguments Thursday in the murder trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

Ep 22: Closing Arguments

We examine the defense’s case and hear about what Chicago police officers are saying about the trial.

Ep 21: The Defense Rests

Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke took the stand in his own defense in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald.

Ep 20: Van Dyke Testifies

After four days of defense witnesses, one key person has not testified: Officer Jason Van Dyke. We explore the potential costs and benefits of Van Dyke testifying and we look at a previous police shooting in which he gave testimony under oath.

Ep 19: Will He Testify?

Lawyers for Officer Jason Van Dyke called witnesses Thursday to testify about PCP, police training, and McDonald’s behavior hours before the shooting.

Ep 18: The Effects Of PCP

A truck driver who called 911 took the witness stand and described fighting off a knife-wielding man moments before Officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shot Laquan McDonald.

Ep 17: The Initial Call

The defense presented a computer-generated video that showed the shooting of Laquan McDonald from the perspective of Officer Jason Van Dyke.

Ep 16: From Van Dyke's Perspective

Lawyers for Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke called their first witnesses on Monday. One big question remains: Will Van Dyke take the stand?

Ep 15: The Defense Begins

Our panel of experts reviews the prosecution's case and answers questions about the trial.

Ep 14: Analyzing The Prosecution

An expert on police use of deadly force testified that Jason Van Dyke didn’t need to shoot Laquan McDonald.

Ep 13: The Prosecution Rests

The third day of testimony in the murder trial of Officer Jason Van Dyke focused on Laquan McDonald’s autopsy. We also explore the demeanor of Judge Vincent Gaughan.

16 Shots

16 Shots