Live updates from the courtroom below.
The final jurors were selected Thursday in the high-profile murder trial of Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, though questions still loom over whether or not a jury will even be used.
The two jurors selected Thursday were a white male nuclear engineer in his 30s, and a woman in her 30s. The man said he had seen the dashcam video of Van Dyke shooting Laquan McDonald and said he thought the officer "went too far" but would be able to put that aside in the trial. The woman said she had not seen the video nor discussed the case with her friends.
The man was sworn in but the woman, selected 12th, was not. Five alternate jurors were also selected Thursday but not sworn in, completing the list as testimony was expected to begin Monday.
The defense team has not yet announced if they plan to seek a jury or a bench trial, which would leave the decision in Judge Vincent Gaughan's hands. The defense will have to make that choice by Friday, Gaughan said, giving defense attorney Dan Herbert one more day to decide which route he will choose.
Three women and two men were picked for the jury earlier this week, while four women and one man were seated Wednesday. Attorneys sparred over race during the selection process Wednesday, as just one African-American juror, a woman who has worked for FedEx for 24 years, was seated in the case.
Prosecutors accused Van Dyke's attorneys of trying to keep minorities off the jury, filing a motion arguing that the defense had illegally removed potential jurors on the basis of their race. Gaughan denied that motion.
Members of a pool of 200 potential jurors have faced a series of questions from attorneys and Gaughan in the process, after filling out questionnaires the previous week and returning this week for one-on-one interviews with Gaughan behind closed doors.
Hours after questioning began Monday, Van Dyke's defense team filed a change of venue motion asking to strike the current jury panel because prospective jurors had to pass protesters who held signs that said their client had been "guilty of racist murder."
This has not been a typical jury selection process as the larger-than-usual pool of potential jurors faces heightened scrutiny. Gaughan has not yet ruled on motions filed by Van Dyke's defense team aiming to move the trial outside of Cook County due to extensive news coverage of the shooting, a topic potential jurors were believed to be questioned on. The judge said he would rule on that once questioning of potential jurors was underway, but exact timing was not given.
Van Dyke is charged with murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old McDonald nearly four years ago.
Van Dyke was captured on dashcam video shooting McDonald 16 times the night of Oct. 20, 2014, on the city's Southwest Side. He was charged with six counts of first-degree murder in November 2015, and 16 counts of aggravated battery in March 2017.
Van Dyke entered a plea of not guilty. In August 2016, CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson recommended Van Dyke's firing to the Chicago Police Board, who granted a motion to halt the proceedings until the criminal case against Van Dyke was complete. He remains suspended from the department without pay.
11:48 a.m.: The 11th & 12th jurors have been selected in the Jason Van Dyke trial. But only the 11th juror, a white male, will be sworn in today because Judge Gaughan is giving defense attorney Dan Herbert one more day to decide if he will choose a bench trial or jury trial for his client
11:50 a.m.: Meantime, Judge Gaughan is moving forward with jury selection today, Attorneys will select the four jurors who serve as alternates.
12:53 p.m.: Three alternate jurors have been selected in Jason Van Dyke trial. Only one more needed and jury is complete. Testimony is expected to begin on Monday morning, unless defense attorneys decide tomorrow to change to a bench trial.
3:22 p.m.: Jury selection in Jason Van Dyke trial is complete. The final alternates were selected. Testimony will begin Monday
Local
3:43 p.m.: In all, 54 potential jurors were questioned over 2 1/2 days. 12 jurors and 5 alternate jurors were selected. In the 12 are 8 females and 4 males. Among the alternates are 3 females and 2 males.
