GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The trial for former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr continued into its second day Tuesday.
Schurr has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese refugee who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in April 2022.
As the former officer arrived at the courthouse on Tuesday, April 29, morning, he was greeted by supporters who clapped as he walked in, with his wife by his side.
Day two of the trial brought in expert witnesses to provide testimony. Seth Stoughton, a use-of-force expert, addressed the jury regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
“Was there an imminent threat?” prosecutor Chris Becker asked.
“Not in my opinion, one that justifies the use of force,” Stoughton replied.
The prosecutor’s use-of-force expert emphasized that a reasonable officer would not have used deadly force in the situation presented. He also stated that there should have been a verbal warning before deadly force was employed, and in this case, there was none.
“‘Drop the taser or I’ll shoot,’ It doesn’t even have to be ‘or I’ll shoot.’ Just ‘drop it or you’re going to get shot,’” Stoughton explained. “Something indicating this is the clear command or the threat.”
It was three years ago this month that Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed by Officer Christopher Schurr during a traffic stop. The two were seen on camera struggling over the officer’s taser in the moments leading up to the shooting.
The jury also heard from a taser expert on Tuesday. Bryan Chiles, an engineer from taser-maker Axon, testified about the device’s intended use.
“Is the taser designed to kill people?” asked Prosecutor Chris Becker.
“No. It’s not designed to kill people,” Chiles said. “It’s designed to temporarily incapacitate.”
The second use of force expert, Nicholas Bloomfield, took the stand late Tuesday afternoon.
Jurors were sent home just before 5:00 p.m.
The prosecution will continue with Bloomfield’s testimony Wednesday morning..
