GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the murder trial of Christopher Schurr, a former Grand Rapids police officer accused of fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop in April 2022, resulting in a mistrial. After days of deliberation, the jury informed the court that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on the charge of second-degree murder.
Schurr testified that he feared for his life during the encounter with Lyoya, who was a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The shooting sparked protests and calls for police reform in Grand Rapids.
The prosecution argued that Schurr's use of deadly force was unjustified. They presented evidence suggesting that Lyoya was unarmed and posed no immediate threat to the officer.
Following the mistrial declaration, the prosecutor's office will need to decide whether to retry Schurr. The case has drawn national attention and highlighted ongoing debates about police use of force and racial justice.
Mistrial Declared in Michigan Officer's Murder Trial
The trial of Michigan police officer Christopher Schurr ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Schurr was charged with second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya during a 2022 traffic stop in Grand Rapids. Schurr testified that he feared for his life during the encounter. The judge declared a mistrial, leaving the future of the case uncertain.