GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The 12-person jury was scheduled to deliberate for a fourth day today in Kent County Circuit Court in the Christopher Schurr second-degree murder trial.
But about an hour after they re-entered the courthouse Thursday morning, Judge Christina Mims asked the jurors to confirm that they were unable to come to a decision in the case of Schurr, who shot fleeing motorist Patrick Lyoya in the head during an April 4, 2022, traffic stop on Nelson Avenue near Griggs Street SE.
Schurr's attorneys claimed it was in self-defense because the 26-year-old Lyoya grabbed for Schurr's Taser during a ground scuffle.
There is no indication yet whether Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker will re-file for a potential retrial.
The jury had the option of convicting or acquitting on the second-degree murder charge or on a manslaughter charge. But earlier in the week, there were signs that they might not be able to reach a consensus decision when they announced to the judge that they were deadlocked.
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The City of Grand Rapids issued a statement today:
Today, the trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr concluded without the jury reaching a unanimous verdict regarding the death of Patrick Lyoya. Consequently, the court has declared a mistrial in this case.
We acknowledge the considerable time and effort the jurors dedicated to carefully consider the evidence and testimony presented during this complex and difficult trial. We thank them for their civic service.
We understand that the inability to reach a verdict brings continued uncertainty and pain, most significantly for the Lyoya family, who have already endured so much. We also recognize this lack of resolution is difficult for our entire community and extends the period of uncertainty for Mr. Schurr as well.
The next steps in this legal matter will be determined by the Kent County Prosecutor's Office, which has the authority to decide whether to retry the case.
The City of Grand Rapids remains focused on its commitment to public safety, internal accountability based on our established policies, and the continuation of our ongoing efforts aimed at strengthening community trust and ensuring accountable constitutional policing. We also recognize the challenging and often dangerous nature of police work, and we appreciate the dedication of the many GRPD officers who serve our city with professionalism and integrity every day.
City services are operating normally, and maintaining peace and safety throughout Grand Rapids is paramount. We urge the community to remain patient while the legal process unfolds and to express any reactions peacefully and respectfully. To help community members process this court decision, we invite them to connect with The Wisdom Center. It will provide mental health support today and tomorrow. The Wisdom Center, 1333 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, will have licensed therapists available from 3 to 8 p.m. to offer free mental health support for those in the community.
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