Black teen’s family laments sentence given to white officer

Explosive video of a white Chicago officer shooting a black teenager 16 times in 2014 shocked consciences around the world. Graphic images of Laquan McDonald crumpling to the street while bullets kept striking him stirred expectations that the officer might be convicted in the killing and pay a heavy price in prison time. 

Are you kidding me, shot 16 times!!! Should that be considered a case of over kill. On top of that, the cop only got 7 years.

Black teen’s family laments sentence given to white officer

Updated on: January 19, 2019 / 11:29 AM / CBS/AP

But on Friday, a sentence of less than seven years for Jason Van Dyke — and the possibility that he may serve only half of that — led McDonald’s family and at least one activist to question whether justice had been done and the right message sent to other officers. 

McDonald’s family lamented that the penalty was too light. His great uncle, the Rev. Marvin Hunter, said the sentence reduced McDonald’s life to that of “a second-class citizen” and “suggests to us that there are no laws on the books for a black man that a white man is bound to honor.” 

William Calloway, who was instrumental in the legal battle that led to the release of the dashcam video in 2015, described the penalty as “a slap in the face to us and a slap on the wrist” for Van Dyke, who was convicted of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery — one for each bullet fired at the 17-year-old McDonald.  

His sentencing came a day after a different judge acquitted three officers accused of lying about the shooting to protect Van Dyke, who was probably the first Chicago officer ever found guilty in the shooting of an African-American. 

How can anyone under the same circumstances not feel betrayed by the judicial system based on the sentences and acquittal in this case? I do not blame the families at all for their reactions.

This is just another great example of why a NATIONAL STANDARD FOR SENTENCING is needed as I have suggested many times. The same penalty for a crime committed in Alaska or Florida. It would eliminate a lot of unfair sentencing on either side of the issue. Not to mention, taking the power away from incompetent judges and ones that need a swimming pool or a new car.

Who can justifiably blame the black community for being pissed off at the judicial system? AGAIN I AXE; WHAT IF IT WERE THEIR KID???

When if ever is law-enforcement and the fools wearing the black robes going to get it right?? They are a very big element in the racial divide in this country.