Alvarez Defends Handling Of Laquan McDonald Case
Tribune Grills Prosecutor Candidates
(CBS) -- The three Democrats vying for Cook County State's Attorney had an often-heated debate that revolved around experience, integrity and a high-profile police shooting case.
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports from the Loop.
Both Kim Foxx and Donna More accused Anita Alvarez of dragging her heels on indicting white Police Office Jason Van Dyke in the fatal shooting of black teen Laquan McDonald, which occurred in October 2014. Alvarez brought charges more than a year later, in November 2015, citing a parallel federal investigation.
Foxx told the Tribune there should be a special prosecutor for all police-involved shooting cases.
"We recognize, from the public's perception that there is a conflict. How can the public trust that we will prosecute one of our own in the same way we would prosecute someone else?" Foxx says.
More said she doubts the county can afford appointing a special prosecutor for every case. "Maybe that's how you do it – you just keep raising taxes," Moore said, an apparent jab at Foxx, who worked for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
Alvarez said Foxx's opinion shows she's ignorant about the law.
"The law is very clear. When a special prosecutor is appointed, it's because the sitting state's attorney has an actual, legal conflict," the incumbent said.
