US cop who shot black teen 16 times convicted, faces 15 years in prison

A white police officer who killed a black teenager in the city of Chicago in the United States now faces a maximum of 15 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder yesterday.

Jason Van Dyke was also found guilty on all 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm -- one count for each shot he fired at 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

The 12-member jury found him not guilty of official misconduct.

Van Dyke’s bail was revoked and he was taken into custody following the verdict.

He faces a minimum of six years in prison and a maximum of over 15 years, with the possibility of probation.

Van Dyke was initially charged with first-degree murder for shooting McDonald 16 times, seconds after he arrived on the scene.

He claimed that he feared for his life as the teen had a knife.

However, dash-cam footage used in the trial showed that McDonald was shot as he moved away from the officers.

The October 2014 killing sparked outrage across and law enforcement authorities in Chicago braced for protests as jurors began their deliberations.

Three other police officers were charged last year for allegedly conspiring to cover up the fatal shooting and are scheduled to go on trial later this year.

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