Chicago officer charged with murder takes stand

CHICAGO (AP) — A white Chicago police officer charged with murder in the shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald took the stand Tuesday to testify at trial.

Police Officer Jason Van Dyke began testifying about his career path with the Chicago Police Department before a technical problem forced a brief recess. After the break, he resumed testifying about his background.

McDonald was shot after police were called to a report of someone breaking into vehicles. Testimony and video show responding officers called for help and were waiting for someone to arrive with a Taser. Squad car video shows McDonald was veering away from police, a knife in one hand, when Van Dyke started shooting. He fired 16 shots at the 17-year-old.