Christopher Schurr is not repeated, prosecutor replaces the murder accusation

Grann Rapids, me.-the prosecutor of Kent County, Chris Becker, says that he will not repeat Christopher Schurr at the death of Patrick Lyoya and the indictment of the former police officer in Grand Rapids falls for a second degree.

Schurr shot Lyoya, a 26-year-old black man, in the back of the head when the two fought over Schurrs Taser during a traffic stop in April 2022.

Becker's decision, which was announced during a press conference on Thursday, was made two weeks after a Mistrial had been declared in Schurr's case after the jury had not suffered a judgment after four days of consideration.

If the prosecutor had continued to raise the murder, the decision would have prepared the way to resume the former officer.

“This is an extremely difficult decision,” said Becker on Thursday and referred to a prepared explanation when he dealt with the media. “I know that it is extremely disappointing for the family of Patrick Lyoya and many in the community, and I didn't get to this decision easily.”

Becker said he didn't think that a resumption would have led to a different result.

“I brought up the best case I could,” he said. “In the end, I don't see the ability to unanimously agree to twelve people.”

When the jurors began their considerations after completing the arguments on May 5, they were evenly divided, the prosecutor claimed four for guilt, four for innocence and four.

When judge Christina Mims said Mistrial on May 8, Becker said that the separation had shifted 10-2 in favor of the acquittal.

“The question in this case will get the chances of getting a completely different jury a second time?” Becker said in his explanation. “I don't think it is advisable to follow the case based on the mere hope that something drastic will change with a new jury panel and exactly the same evidence.”

In the past six years, the Kent County public prosecutor has repeated only one case after a suspended jury.

“This has always been an extremely difficult case,” said Becker, adding that he was in the decision to initially complain about Schurr because of the second degree murder.

He also said that he had not seriously thought about reducing the indictment against voluntary manslaughter in order to increase the chance of convicting in a resumption.

“In the beginning I thought it was a second degree murder,” said Becker. “I will try it or not.”

During the press conference, Fox 17 Becker asked whether the Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, had the authority to take control of the criminal proceedings and to file an indictment against the former officer.

“Technically,” said Becker “she has never had before, but technically I think that there is always a possibility.”

Wache: The prosecutor of Kent County, Chris Becker, says he will not repeat Christopher Schurr

Christopher Schurr is not repeated in Patrick Lyoya in the death, since prosecutors drop the murder accusation

Christopher Schurr's defense

In a phone call with Fox 17 on Thursday, Schurr's legal team said that her customer was “relieved” with Becker's decision.

“He never considered this as a kind of competition,” said defender Matt Borgula about the former officer. “He is relieved and still realizes that this was a tragedy and certainly never wanted this to happen.”

During a press conference after the procedure on the day of the Mistrial, Borgula claimed that the second -degree murder debt should not be raised at all.

“Christopher Schurr never wanted to take a life. I guarantee it,” he said. “There is really no profit here. A man has died and that's a very serious thing.”

Borgula also claimed that the jury were “predominantly for the acquittal”.

Watch: Defender speaks to the media according to the jury -deathlocks

Defender Matthew Borgula speaks after Mistrial was explained in the trial against Christopher Schurr

Patrick Lyoya's family

The Lyoya family, who publicly pushed for a second criminal proceedings, is still planning to get “justice” for her son.

“I want [Schurr] Knowing that he is still carrying Patrick's blood on himself, ”said Patrick Lyoya's father, Peter Lyoya, on the day of the Mistrial.

Clock: Lyoya family promises to fight after the Mistrial

Patrick Lyoya family promises to continue fighting after the Mistrial

A civil lawsuit against Schurr is currently pending in front of the Federal Supreme Court after the US Supreme Court has denied an appeal by the lawyers of the former civil servant.

The Lyoya family's lawyer, Ven Johnson, gave Fox 17 an explanation on Thursday.

“The Lyoya family has not only lost Patrick, but now hope that former officer Christopher Schurr will ever be responsible for taking Patrick's life,” said Johnson.

“With today's decision, a break in justice has become a permanent reality,” he said. “This is neither a judgment nor the result of the Lyoya family.”

For the earlier reporting on FOX 17 on the trial against Christopher Schurr and the death of Patrick Lyoya, click on Here.

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