Bench trial for Chicago cop, 2 ex-cops in McDonald case

CHICAGO – A Chicago police officer and two former officers have chosen a bench trial after pleading not guilty to conspiring to cover up what happened the night a white officer killed a black teenager by shooting him 16 times.

Former Detective David March, former Officer Joseph Walsh and Officer Thomas Gaffney will have their trial before a Cook County judge in July. They are accused of quickly co-ordinating their stories to protect themselves and other officers following the 2014 death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. They face charges of obstruction of justice, official misconduct and conspiracy.

Special prosecutors said Thursday that they anticipate the trial for all three will take less than a week. Officer Jason Van Dyke has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the teen’s shooting death.