Jury Deliberations Begin in Patrick Lyoya Murder Trial

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Jury deliberations began Monday afternoon in the murder trial of former police officer Christopher Schurr, who is accused of killing Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in April 2022. Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee, was shot in the back of the head after a struggle over Schurr’s taser.

The jury finished their first day of discussions and will continue deliberations Tuesday morning. Schurr is charged with second-degree murder, a conviction that could lead to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

The prosecution argued that Schurr acted with intent to kill when he fired the gun. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker emphasized that Lyoya was attempting to escape rather than attack. Becker commented, ‘Clearly, the defendant killed Patrick Lyoya,’ pointing to evidence that indicated he posed no threat during the encounter.

In contrast, the defense maintained that Schurr acted out of fear for his life. Defense attorney Matthew Borgula posited that the jury should focus on Schurr’s feelings of danger in that split second. ‘It’s his job to arrest people who are committing crimes,’ said Borgula. He insisted that the circumstances led Schurr to reasonably believe he faced a threat.

The trial has seen conflicting testimonies regarding the use of deadly force. The defense claimed that Lyoya’s control of the taser justified Schurr’s actions. They noted instances during the testimony where experts debated the appropriateness of the use of force displayed by Schurr.

As deliberations began, Judge Christina Mims outlined the jury’s responsibilities, clarifying they should not consider attorney comments as evidence. The jury can choose to convict Schurr of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or acquit him entirely.

Following the morning deliberation, the jury expressed that they could not reach a verdict by the day’s end and will reconvene at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. The outcome could mark a significant moment in the ongoing discussions about police use of force and community relations in Grand Rapids.