A jury began deliberations Monday in the case of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, charged in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya. The jury will decide if Schurr is guilty of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, or if he is not guilty.
The charge stems from an April 2022 traffic stop where Schurr pulled him over for improper license plates. A struggle ensued after Lyoya exited the vehicle and resisted arrest. Testimony indicated Lyoya's driver's license was revoked and he had a warrant at the time, and an autopsy found his blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit for driving.
Defense attorneys argued in closing statements that Schurr's actions were reasonable given the circumstances. They contended that Lyoya's resistance escalated the encounter and that the officer was in a position of tactical disadvantage, fearing for his life after Lyoya gained control of the officer's Taser weapon. They stressed the decision to use force was made in a fraction of a second under duress.
Schurr testified Friday, stating he feared that Lyoya would use the Taser against him and that he believed if he didn't act, he would not survive the encounter. He stated, "Schurr on shooting Lyoya: 'If I didn’t respond at that time, I wouldn’t be here.'"
Prosecutors countered that deadly force was not justified. They argued Lyoya was attempting to flee and gain distance, not to harm the officer. Prosecutor Chris Becker told jurors videos of the struggle showed Schurr was not in danger at the moment he fired, stating, "There was no threat there. He wanted to get away.”
Over six days, jurors heard testimony from 23 witnesses, including experts on police use of force. They also viewed video footage from multiple sources, including body camera, dash camera, doorbell camera, and a bystander's cellphone. The video showed Schurr on Lyoya's back in a facedown position when the single fatal shot was fired into the back of Lyoya's head.
The jury has the option to convict Schurr of second-degree murder, which carries a potential life sentence, or voluntary manslaughter, punishable by up to 15 years. They can also find him not guilty. The verdict must be unanimous.
Demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse throughout the Trial Day Six, including Schurr supporters waving "thin blue line" flags.
Schurr was fired by the Grand Rapids Police Department shortly after being charged in 2022.
"You can’t take a life without a darn good reason," Becker said.
