87% (53) 87% found this document useful (53 votes) 41K views 12 pages Chicago Police Officers Indicted On Conspiracy, Obstruction of Justice and Official Misconduct
Three Chicago police officers have been indicted on felony charges alleging they conspired to cover up the fatal shooting of black teen Laquan McDonald by a white officer.
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COUNTYOFCOOK
SPECIAL GRAND JURY NO. SGJAPFTI0001
GENERAL NO. =4200
CIRCUTT COURT OF COOK COUNTY
‘COUNTY DEPARTMENT
CRIMINAL DIVISION
‘SPECIAL GRAND JURY NO. SGJAPPT10001
‘THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
DAVID MARCH,
JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY,
INDICTMENT
Filed:
oor
Bail
‘ClerkSTATEORILLINOIS =)
) $8
COUNTY OF COOK )
Special Grand Jury No. SGJAPPT10001
of the Circuit Court of Cook County,
“The Spedal Grand Jurors chosen, selected, and sworn, in and forthe County of Cook, in
the State of indi, in the name and by the authority ofthe People ofthe State of Mlinois, upon
their oaths present that:
1. Beginning no later than in or about October 20,2014, and continuing thereafter,
atand within the County of Cook:
DAVID MARCH,
JOSEPH WALSH, and
THOMAS GAFFNEY,
defendants here: committed the offense of conspiracy when each, with intent that the offerse
of official misconduct be committed, as defined by Chapter 720, Act 5, Section 33-3, ofthe
Illinois Compiled Statutes, and that the offense of obstructing justice be committed, as defined
bby Chapter 720, Aet 5 Section 31-1, ofthe Ilinois Compiled Statutes, agreed with each other,
Individual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury tothe commission af
the offense, andan actin furtherance ofthe agreement was performed by any party to the
agreement, in violation of Chapter 720, Act, Section 82, ofthe llinois Compiled Statutes, and
contrary tothe [linois Compiled Statutes and against the peace and dignity ofthe People ofthe
State of Ilinois.versew of the Conspiracy
2. twas theabject ofthe conspiracy to conceal the true facts f the events
surrounding the ling of Laquan McDonald by Chicago Police Department Officer Individual
‘Aim order to shield the fellow officer from criminal investigation and prosecution. In order to
accomplish this goal, the co-conspirators led about what occurred and mischaractrized the
ideo recordings so thatindependent criminal investigators would not know the truth about
the Laquan McDonald ling and the public would not se the video recordings ofthe events.
‘The co-conspirators understood that publi airing ofthe events surrounding Laquan,
-MeDonald’s killing including the video recordings, would inexorably lea toa thorough
iminal investigation by an independent body and likely criminal charge.
3. The co-conspirators create police reports in the critical early hours and days
following te killing of Lguan MeDona that contained important false information in an
attempt to prevent orshpe any criminal investigation
4. Itwas partof the conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH, THOMAS
GAFFNEY, and individual A were members ofthe Chicago Police Department who were
involved in the investigation of the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, As members of the
Chicago Police Department, DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH, THOMAS GAFFNEY,
Individual A, and others known and unknown tothe Special Grand Jury coordinated their
ctivites in order to protect eachother and other members ofthe Chicago Police Department by
farishing fale informacion, making false reports filing to report oe correct false information,
{ignoring contrary information or evidence, cbstructing justice, intentionally or recklessly failingto perform a mandatory duty as requited bylaw, and knowingly performing acts which each
knows he or sheis forbidden bylaw to perform.
Members of the Conspiracy
5, Iewas further part ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH acted in his official
capacity as a Detective with the Chicago Police Department during the investigation of the ftal
shooting of Laquan McDonald and the activites of the conspiracy
6. twas futher part ofthe conspiracy that JOSEPH WALSH acted in his oficia!
capacity as an Oificer with the Chicago Police Department during the investigation ofthe fatal
shooting of Laquan McDonald and the activities of the conspiracy.
7. Itwas further part ofthe conspiracy that THOMAS GAFENEY acted in his
official capacity a8 an Ofier withthe Chicago Police Department during the investigation of
the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald and the activities ofthe conspiracy
8. twas further par ofthe conspiracy that Individual A ated in his oficial
capacity as an Ofices with the Chicago Police Department during the investigation of the fatal
shooting of Laquan McDonald and the activities of the conspiracy.
Itvvas forthe par ofthe conspiracy tha others known and unknown tothe
Special Grand Jury acted in thelr official capacity with the Chicago Police Department during
the investigation ofthe fatal shooting of Laquan MeDonald and the activities ofthe onspirary
‘Acts in Eurtheranceof the Conspiracy
10, twas farther pat ofthe conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Original
Case Incident Report with false information, inluding that “MCDONALD commited
‘aggravated assaults against the three officers, finaly forcing Officer (Individual Al, in defense‘of his lif, to shootand kill MCDONALD,” was prepared and submitted by DAVID MARCH,
and received and zpproved by Individual B.
11, Twas further part ofthe conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Original
(Case Incident Report with false information, including that Individual A was “injured by
offender” and thatIndividual A, JOSEPH WALSH, and THOMAS GAFFNEY were
“VICTIM(s}” was prepared and submitted by Individual C, reviewed by DAVID MARCH, and
received and approved by Individual D.
12, twas further part of the conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department General
Progress Report with false information, including that “AT 12-15 FT © SWUNG KNIFE AT
POV IN AGGRESSIVE MANNER" and that “VD CONTINUED FIRING ASO
ATTEMPTING GET UP, STILL ARMED W/ KNIFE,” was attributed from JOSEPH WALSH,
prepared and submitted by DAVID MARCH, and reesived ancl approved by Individual B.
13, Ie was further part of the conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department General
Progress Report with false information including that “O IGNORED, RAISED R ARM
‘TOWARD VD ASIF ATTACKING VD,” was attributed from Individual C, prepared and
submitted by DAVID MARCH, and received and approved by Individual B.
14, Tewas further pat of the conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department General
Progress Report with false information, including that “O.... ATTEMPTING TO GET BACK UP,
KNIFE STILL IN HAND,” was attributed from Individual G, prepared and submitted by
DAVID MARCH, and received and approved by Individual B,
15, It was further part ofthe conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Case
‘Supplementary Report with false information, including that:+ "The recovered in-car camera video from Beats 845R and 8138 was viewed and
found tobe consistent withthe accounts ofall ofthe witnesses”;
‘+ JOSEPH WALSH stated, “When MCDONALD got o within 12 to 15 feet of the
cificers he swung the knife toward the officers in an aggressive manner’
+ JOSEPH WALSH stoted, “VAN DYKE continued ring his weapon at MCDONALD
ss MCDONALD continued moving onthe ground, attempting to get up, while sti
armed with the knife"
+ Individual C stated, “MCDONALD ignored the verbal direction and instead, raised
has right arm toward Officer VAN DYKE, as ifatacking VAN DYKE";
+ Individual G stated, “MCDONALD fell othe ground but continued to move,
tempting to get back up, with the knife stilin his hand; ard
+ THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual H, Individual A, and JOSEPH WALSH were
“vICTIM(S)";
‘was submited as the eport of DAVID MARCH, Individual Band Individual E, submited by
DAVID MARCH, and reviewed and approved by individual E.
16. twas further part ofthe conspiracy that three officers, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, and Individual A, prepared and submitted virtually identical Chicago
Police Department Orticer’s Battery Reports and Tactical Response Reperts which contained
critical information which they knew to be false. Specially, a Chicago Plice Department
ices Batery Report with false information, including “NO. OF OFFICERS BATTERED 3”
and “STABBED/CUT (INCLUDING ACTUAL ATTEMPT)” was prepared and submitted by
Individual A, and reviewed and approved by Individual F.17, _Iewas further part ofthe conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Officers
Battery Report wit fale information inchuding “NO. OF OFFICERS BATTERED 3" and
“STABBED/CUT [INCLUDING ACTUAL ATTEMPT)" was prepared and submitted by
JOSEPH WALSH, and reviewed and approved by Individul F
18, twas further pot ofthe conspiracy thata Chicago Police Department Officer
Battery Report wit false information including “NO. OF OFFICERS BATTERED 3" and
“STABBED/CUT |INCLUDING ACTUAL ATTEMPT)” was prepared and submitted by
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, and reviewed and approved by Individual F
19, _Ihwas further pat ofthe conspiracy thata Chicago Police Department Tactical
Response Report with false information, including “ASSAILANT: ASSAULT IMMINENT
‘THREAT OF BATTERY,” “ASSAILANT: BATTERY ATTACK WITH WEAPON,”
“ASSAILANT: DEADLY FORCE USES FORCE LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR GREAT
‘BODILY HARM,’ and “Officer [individual A] fied his weapon in fear of his life when the
offender while armed with a knife continued to approach” was prepared by Individual A,
reviewed by Individual D, and approved and completed by Individual F.
20, eas further part of the conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Tactical
Response Report with fale information including “ASSAILANT: ASSAULT IMMINENT
‘THREAT OF BATTERY,” “ASSAILANT: BATTERY ATTACK WITH WEAPON,” and
“ASSAILANT: DEADLY FORCE USES FORCE LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR GREAT
BODILY HARM; was prepared and submitted by JOSEPH WALSH, reviewed by Individual D,
and approved end completed by Individual F,21, Iewas funher pat of the conspiracy that a Chicago Police Department Tactical
Response Report with fle information, including “ASSAILANT: ASSAULT IMMINENT
THREAT OF BATTERY,’ “ASSAILANT: BATTERY ATTACK WITH WEAPON,” and
“ASSAILANT: DEADLY FORCE USES FORCE LIKELY TO CAUSE DEATH OR GREAT.
BODILY HARM,” was prepared and submited by THOMAS GAFFNEY, reviewed by
Individual D, and approved and completed by Individval F
22, twas further pat ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
THOMAS GAFFNEY, and others known and unknown tothe Special Grand Jury failed to
locate, identity, or interview witnesses, or to ensure the location identification or interview of
witnesses ofthe atl shooting of Laquan MeDonald, including Witness A, Witness B, and
‘Witness C whose information was inconsistent with the accounts of Chicago Police Department
members.
23, _Itwas further part ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH and others known and
unknown tothe Special Grand fale to locale identify, and preserve physical evidence, orto
ensure the location denification, and perseveration of physical evidence, including video and
photographic evidence
24, twas futher part of the conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual A, and others known and unknown tothe Special Grand Jury
failed to report or correc: fale information withthe Chicago Police Department.
25. _Itwas futher pat ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Juryused various means to communicate with each other in order to coordinate the activities ofthe
conspiracy.
26, Itwas further part of the conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury
used means to misrepresent, conceal, and hide, and to cause to be misrepresented, concealed,
and hidden, the activities of the conspiracy, and to avoid detection and apprehension by law
enforcement authorities
27, Teas further part ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury
deleted or failed to preserve communications with each other concerning and during the
activites ofthe conspiracy.
28, It was further part ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, Individual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury
others known and unkrown to the Special Grand Jury violated the Rules and Regulations ofthe
(Chicago Police Department, adopted and published by the Police Board.
29, _Itwas further part of the conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, dividual A, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury
‘violated the General Orders and Special Orders ofthe Chicago Police Department.
30, twas further pat of the conspitacy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WALSH,
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY, and others known and unknown tothe Special Grand Jury committed
the offence of obstructing justice.31, Tewas further part ofthe conspiracy that DAVID MARCH, JOSEPH WATSH,
THOMAS GAFFNEY, and others known and unknown to the Special Grand Jury committed
the offense of offical misconduct
COUNT NUMBER 1
case numer [7 (2-900
cance w cove 0017901“The Special Grand Jurors chosen selected, and sworn in and forthe County of Conk, in
the State of lino inthe name and by the authority of the People ofthe State of Tinos, upon
theie oaths preset that:
1. Onorafter October 20,2014, a and within the County of Cook,
DAVID MARCH,
JOSEPH WALSH, and
‘THOMAS GAFFNEY,
defendants herein, commited the offense of obstructing justice when each, with intent to
prevent the apprehension, obstruct the prosecution, and obstruct the defense of any persen,
‘knowingly furnished false information, in violation of Chapter 720, Act 5, Section 31-4 ofthe
Tinois Compiled Statutes, and contrary to the Illinois Compiled Statutes and against the peace
and dignity ofthe People of the State of I
Paragraph 1 through Paragraph 31 of Count Number 1 are incorporated by
reference.
COUNT NUMBER?
case numer (1CR- 1709
cHarce 1 cope, OO!
10“The Special Grand Juror chosen, selected, and sworn in and for the County of Cook, in
the State of Tlinois, in the name and by the authority ofthe People ofthe State 0 linoi, upon
their oaths present tha:
1. Onorafter October 20,214, at and within the County of Cook,
DAVID MARCH,
JOSEPH WALSH, and
THOMAS GAFFNEY,
defendants herein, committed the offense of oficial misconduct when each, being a public
otficer or employee in his or her official capacity, intentionally or recklessly failed to perform
any mandatory duty as required by law and knowingly performed an act which he or she
‘knows he or she is forbidden by law to perform, in violation of Chapter 720, Act 5, Section 33-3;
Chapter 720, Act, Section 31-4; and Chapter 720, At, Setion 82 ofthe Mlinos Compiled
Statutes, and the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and contrary to the
linois Compiled Statutes and aginst the peace and dignity ofthe People ofthe State of Hlinois.
2, Paragraph 1 through Paragraph 31 of Count Nurnber 1 and Paragraph 1 through
Paragraph 2 of Count Number 2 are incorporated by reference,
COUNT NUMBER 3
case numer [7¢R- 9700
cuarce rp cope: OV) |'7 40)
ie Pras)
PATRICIA BROWN HOLMES
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
u