GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The trial for Christopher Schurr, the former Grand Rapids police officer charged in the 2022 death of Patrick Lyoya, began Monday.
Schurr’s attorney made their opening statement to the jury, arguing that this is a case of self-defense.
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“He didn’t choose to take a life, he chose to save his own,” defense attorney Mikayla Hamilton said.
Schurr was charged with second-degree murder after he fatally shot the 26-year-old refugee from Congo during a traffic stop on April 4, 2022.
Hamilton gave the jury background about Schurr, mentioning his time as a high school athlete, earning a scholarship, and marrying his high school sweetheart.
Hamilton talked about Schurr and his wife getting married on a mission trip in Keya and emphasized their service to others.
Day of shooting
The defense then walked the jury through the day of the shooting, starting with Schurr stopping Lyoya for the license plate not matching the vehicle.
Hamilton said that Lyoya disregarded 29 police commands from Schurr.
“Mr. Lyoya continued to escalate the situation by failing to comply with Officer Schurr’s lawful commands,” Hamilton said. “He created a danger not only to Officer Schurr but to the citizens of Grand Rapids.”
Officer was ‘flooded with fear,’ defense says
When describing the physical struggle, Hamilton argues Lyoya was bigger and stronger than Schurr.
She also said Schurr was “flooded with fear” when Lyoya grabbed for his taser.
“If Mr. Lyoya tased him, he could take his firearm and shoot him with his own weapon, which is something officers are trained to consider,” Hamilton said.
The defense said they plan to call several experts to testify that Schurr’s actions were reasonable.
Hamilton concluded her 30-minute opening by asking the jury to return a not guilty verdict.
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