GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The jury in the murder trial of former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr began deliberating on Monday afternoon, as they weigh the fate of Schurr in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya in April 2022.
The 12-member jury, composed of 10 white jurors, one Hispanic juror, and one biracial juror, began deliberations at 12:40 p.m. Monday. They broke for the day before 5 p.m. and are expected to return Tuesday morning to continue their discussions. The jurors were given three potential verdicts to consider: guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of voluntary manslaughter, or not guilty.
In his closing argument, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker told the jury that the evidence demonstrated Officer Schurr acted recklessly and unnecessarily, leading to Lyoya’s death. He emphasized that while Lyoya had been driving under the influence and resisting arrest, these actions did not warrant a death sentence. “Patrick is no saint,” Becker admitted, but he was clear that none of Lyoya’s offenses were “executable.” Becker argued that Schurr’s decision to chase Lyoya, pull out his Taser, and ultimately fire the fatal shot was disproportionate to the threat at hand.
Becker insisted that the Taser no longer posed a danger by the time Schurr shot Lyoya. “Patrick’s not threatening him; Patrick’s not taking a swing at him. Patrick’s trying to get away,” Becker said. He pointed out that Schurr was on top of Lyoya during the struggle, with control over the situation. The prosecutor stressed that the officer’s decision to use deadly force was not justified in these circumstances.
On the other hand, defense attorney Matt Borgula argued that Schurr was simply doing his job in a high-stress situation. According to Borgula, Schurr had no choice but to chase Lyoya after the suspect attempted to flee. Borgula framed the incident as a matter of officer safety, asserting that Schurr was right to view the Taser, even after both cartridges had been fired, as a potential threat. “They both want the Taser; that’s what they’re fighting over,” Borgula argued. He maintained that Lyoya had control of the Taser and was using it as a weapon, which prompted Schurr to act in what he perceived to be a life-threatening moment.
Borgula also emphasized the difficulty of Schurr’s decision-making. “Officer Schurr was at work and he was faced with the toughest decision of his life in half a second,” he said, urging the jury to consider whether Schurr’s fear of great bodily harm from the Taser was reasonable in that fleeting moment.
The case hinges on the jury’s interpretation of whether Schurr’s actions were justified or excessive. If the jury finds Schurr guilty of second-degree murder, he could face up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. A manslaughter conviction would result in a sentence of up to 15 years.
Throughout the five-and-a-half-day trial, jurors heard from 23 witnesses, including Schurr himself, who testified in his own defense. The trial has captivated the community, with emotions running high as residents await a decision that will have far-reaching implications for law enforcement and the public’s trust in police accountability.
As deliberations continue, the jury is tasked with determining whether Schurr’s use of deadly force was a tragic miscalculation or a justified response to a perceived threat. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on both the city of Grand Rapids and the broader conversation surrounding police use of force in the United States.
