Anita Alvarez Calls for Special Prosecutor in Laquan McDonald Case


A surprising development on Thursday in the prosecution of Jason Van Dyke, the Chicago police officer who is charged with the murder of Laquan McDonald: Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez recused herself and her office from the prosecution. It's a move that pleases protesters and advocates who believe the state's attorney's office has a conflict of interest.

Alvarez, who has been widely criticized for her handling of the case, asked the judge to appoint a special prosecutor. She charged Van Dyke with murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old McDonald some 400 days after the incident, and has faced questions as to why charges were not filed sooner, given the release of a video that refutes the initial accounts of the case, that McDonald had been lunging at and a threat to police officers.

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Activists have called for a special prosecutor not only because of Alvarez’s handling of the case, but because they believe the office has too close a relationship with the police to effectively prosecute such shootings.

Kim Foxx, who defeated Alvarez in the Democratic primary in March, agreed. And it’s because of the pending turnover in the office that Alvarez says she should be replaced on this case, as outlined by one of her assistant prosecutors in a court hearing Thursday.

“State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez has taken the position that, although there is no conflict of interest which would require her removal from this case, she has asked to recuse herself, as is her right, and has asked your honor to appoint a special state’s attorney in her stead,” said Assistant State’s Attorney Alan Spellberg.

In a statement, Alvarez goes on to explain:

“While it is has not been an easy decision, I believe that it is the right one because it will help to avoid unnecessary legal delays and provide continuity in the handling of this very important and complicated case. It would also ensure that one designated prosecutor will handle this case as it proceeds to trial.

“While there is no legal conflict of interest that would prevent the State’s Attorney’s Office from continuing the prosecution of this case, I believe that the results of the recent election and the impending transition of this office make this the best and most responsible decision.

“More than anything else, our role as prosecutors is to seek justice and do all that we can to promote confidence in our criminal justice system. It is my greatest hope that the citizens of Chicago who have been shocked and polarized by this crime and this tragedy will understand and welcome this decision and respectfully support the efforts of all elements of the criminal justice system as the prosecution of Jason Van Dyke moves forward.”

“I will not apologize for doing a very thorough, meticulous investigation,” Anita Alvarez said about the Laquan McDonald case on “Chicago Tonight” in December 2015.“I will not apologize for doing a very thorough, meticulous investigation,” Anita Alvarez said about the Laquan McDonald case on “Chicago Tonight” in December 2015.

Meanwhile the Democratic nominee for state’s attorney, Kim Foxx says:

“This is clearly the appropriate decision in this case.”

The judge says he’ll look into the matter before making ruling on June 2. This was prompted in part by petitions from the People’s Law Office and MacArthur Justice Center, as well as Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Push coalition.

“He or she is going to bring a sense of objectivity about it and won’t be as closely connected to the Chicago Police Department and all the relationships that involves,” said Rainbow PUSH spokesman Don Terry. “Prosecutors are often friendly with police officers because of the cases they bring, and we hope this person brings objectivity and fairness.”

“While there is no legal conflict of interest that would prevent the State’s Attorney’s Office from continuing the prosecution of this case, I believe that the results of the recent election and the impending transition of this office make this the best and most responsible decision,” Alvarez said in a statement.

“More than anything else, our role as prosecutors is to seek justice and do all that we can to promote confidence in our criminal justice system,” the statement continued. “It is my greatest hope that the citizens of Chicago who have been shocked and polarized by this crime and this tragedy will understand and welcome this decision and respectfully support the efforts of all elements of the criminal justice system as the prosecution of Jason Van Dyke moves forward.” 

Follow Paris Schutz on Twitter: @paschutz


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