In addition to Van Dyke’s historic trial, three current or former Chicago officers also were charged with conspiring to cover for Van Dyke by exaggerating the threat posed by McDonald. But in a controversial ruling in January at a bench trial, Judge Domenica Stephenson acquitted retired Detective David March, ex-patrolman Joseph Walsh and Officer Thomas Gaffney of all charges while downplaying the importance of the now-infamous police video of the shooting, saying it did not capture the perspective of the officers.