Grand Rapids, Mich. — As the jury deliberated for another day on Wednesday, emotions ran high outside the courthouse, where supporters of both Christopher Schurr and Patrick Lyoya gathered. The former Grand Rapids police officer is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in April 2022.
The jury, which has been deliberating since Monday afternoon, spent another full day on Wednesday, working from about 8:30 a.m. to just after 4:30 p.m. However, by the end of the day, no verdict had been reached. The defense team, including attorney Matthew Borgula, remained cautious, emphasizing that it’s not unusual for a jury to deliberate for multiple days.
“We just wait,” Borgula said when leaving the courthouse, noting that the process was ongoing and that nothing had changed in the proceedings.
Jurors had informed the judge on Tuesday afternoon that they were unable to reach a verdict. The judge urged them to continue working through the evidence, which included more than a week of testimony from 23 witnesses, including Schurr himself. The crux of their task is to decide whether Schurr’s actions, which led to the shooting of Lyoya, constituted second-degree murder, or if another charge or no charge at all is appropriate.
The case has sparked intense emotions and divided opinions across the community. Schurr’s supporters, many of whom carried “thin blue line” flags, gathered outside the courthouse alongside those supporting Lyoya’s family. The latter group has been vocal in their call for justice for the 26-year-old Black man, who was unarmed at the time of the fatal encounter with Schurr. Some Lyoya supporters took to chalking the sidewalk with the message “Justice 4 Patrick,” expressing their demand for accountability.
The atmosphere outside the courthouse on Wednesday remained tense but calmer compared to the previous day, when demonstrators clashed with police. Officers were seen de-escalating a few verbal confrontations early in the morning, though the situation seemed to stabilize as the day went on. Despite the tension, many of the exchanges between opposing supporters were civil, as both sides anxiously awaited a resolution to the case.
“I think it’s a good thing that the jury is taking the time they need to go over the evidence,” said Christian Bartolo, a supporter of Lyoya’s family. “There’s a lot of anxiety, but we just want justice for Patrick.”
Erykai Cage, another supporter of Lyoya, echoed the sentiment, saying the prolonged deliberation was taking an emotional toll on everyone involved. “It’s very draining physically, mentally, and emotionally,” Cage said. “We just want a verdict at this point. It’s all very emotional.”
As the jury’s deliberations continue, the case remains a deeply significant moment for both the city of Grand Rapids and the broader conversation surrounding law enforcement accountability. The families, the demonstrators, and the community at large are now left waiting for a decision that will shape the future of the case and possibly set a precedent for similar situations in the future.
The trial has not only captured local attention but also drawn national interest as it touches on critical issues of race, policing, and justice in America. While some supporters hope for a swift resolution, others remain steadfast in their belief that the jury is taking the necessary time to weigh the evidence carefully.
For now, the community holds its breath, waiting for a verdict that could bring either closure or a new chapter to a case that has already left an indelible mark on the city of Grand Rapids.
