CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ attorney general says he’s asking the state Supreme Court to order a new sentence for the white Chicago police officer who fatally shot black teenager Laquan McDonald.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Monday that he’s asked for a court order that would send Jason Van Dyke’s case back to the trial judge for a new sentence. It’s a rare move for prosecutors.
Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced Van Dyke in January to six years and nine months in prison.
The special prosecutor, Kane County State’s Attorney Joseph McMahon, had asked for a sentence of between 18 and 20 years. The defense sought probation.
Both Raoul and McMahon steered clear Monday of saying whether they believed the sentence handed down by Gaughan was too short, but their filing sets in motion a legal battle that could ultimately result in the court force the judge to impose a longer sentence.
This item has been corrected to reflect that Raoul and McMahon did not directly address whether they think the sentence was too short.
