Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer charged with murder in the 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald, was arraigned and pled not guilty Tuesday.
Van Dyke faces six counts of first-degree murder and one count of official misconduct for the shooting which was captured on police dashboard camera video, reported CNN. The video was initially withheld from public viewing due to fears that it could jeopardize a federal probe of the case, but a judge ordered the video to be released in November after a freelance journalist sued, arguing that it was a public record.
The disturbing video shows McDonald getting shot 16 times, with some shots coming after he was already on the ground. The teenager, who police say was armed with a 4-inch-knife, was walking away from officers when Van Dyke opened fire.
The footage set off weeks of protests, the forced resignation of Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, callings for Mayor Rahm Emanuel to reisign, and a federal civil rights investigation of department practices, according to the Associated Press.
Van Dyke is no longer being paid, but is currently out of jail on bond.
His lawyer has full confidence that Van Dyke will avoid his charges, saying he can "absolutely" defend himself in court, according to CW's Chicago affiliate WGN-TV.
The next court hearing is set for Jan. 29.
