Ex-Michigan cop to face murder trial in killing of Black man
A former Michigan police officer who shot a Black motorist in the back of the head will stand trial for second-degree murder, a judge said Monday.
Judge Nicholas Ayoub announced his decision after hearing testimony last week about the death in April of Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A jury will decide whether Christopher Schurr ‘s use of deadly force was necessary “after a full and fair trial,” Ayoub said.
Lyoya, 26, briefly ran from a traffic stop then grappled with Schurr across a front lawn before the white officer shot him at point-blank range. The final moment was recorded on video by a man who was a passenger in the car with Lyoya.
Schurr repeatedly told Lyoya to take his hands off the officer’s Taser, according to video. The refugee from Congo was on the ground when he was killed.
Ayoub only had to find probable cause to send the case to the Kent County trial court, a low standard of evidence at this stage under Michigan law.
Schurr’s attorney argued Friday that the officer was defending himself while Lyoya wouldn’t give up. A forensic video analyst, Robert McFarlane, testified that Lyoya failed to comply with 20 commands.
“He pushed. He shoved, popped his arms,” lawyer Matt Borgula said.
Schurr, an officer for seven years, was fired in June after being charged with murder.
Task Force on Forensic Science to hear from public
Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack and Michigan State Police Director Col. Joe Gasper will conduct a meeting of the Michigan Task Force on Forensic Science online Tuesday, November 1, via Zoom.
The agenda includes discussion of the findings and updated recommendations from the three Task Force subcommittees: Forensic Science Statewide Body; Forensic Science Practice; and Criminal Legal System.
There will be a public comment period beginning at 10 a.m. Members of the public who would like to make a comment at the meeting should visit the MSP website to find meeting access information at www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/forensic-science/forensic-science-task-force.
The Task Force is an advisory body operating within the Michigan Department of State Police and is comprised of forensic science practitioners, legal professionals, government officials, academics, private sector experts, and representatives from the Michigan State Police, Michigan Supreme Court, and Department of Attorney General. McCormack and Gasper are co-chairs of the Task Force. Also representing the judiciary on the Task Force is Kent County Circuit Court Judge Paul Denenfeld who was designated by McCormack.
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