Former Officer Schurr Faces Jury Trial for Patrick Lyoya’s Death

On a tranquil Monday morning three years ago, rain drizzled on Officer Christopher Schurr’s patrol car as he drove through a quiet neighborhood in Grand Rapids. It was during this uneventful drive that Schurr encountered a grey Nissan, leading to a confrontation that would alter lives.

As the Nissan approached from the opposite direction, Schurr made a sharp turn to pursue it, later citing the vehicle’s license plate as the reason for the stop. The car carried two Black men, and upon halting, one of them, Patrick Lyoya, exited and faced Schurr, disregarding commands to remain inside.

“What I do wrong?” Lyoya questioned, seemingly baffled. Lyoya, who hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo and spent his early years in a refugee camp, had resettled in Michigan with his family.

Schurr responded, “The plate doesn’t belong on this car.”

The ensuing events, captured on video, were so unsettling that city officials took precautionary measures, anticipating public unrest. Barricades were erected downtown, and some government buildings were temporarily closed.

The tragic encounter concluded with Schurr on top of Lyoya, discharging a fatal shot into Lyoya’s head.

In June, nine weeks post-incident, Kent County prosecutor Christopher Becker charged Schurr with second-degree murder.

Now, three years later, after numerous failed appeals in Michigan’s courts, Schurr is set to face a jury trial for the first time.

A parallel legal battle, a civil lawsuit seeking $100 million filed by Lyoya’s family, continues. While the city has been removed as a defendant, the potential financial implications remain substantial.

Peter Lyoya, Patrick’s father, expressed his frustration to Michigan Public’s Stateside over the extended duration of both cases. Speaking via his son Thomas, who translated from Swahili, Peter conveyed, “We’ve been waiting for three long years now, and we just, we don’t want to wait anymore. We want justice for Patrick, and hopefully as soon as it can happen.”

Legal Proceedings and Challenges

In June 2022, prosecutor Becker charged Schurr, following a Michigan State Police investigation. Despite his professional ties with Grand Rapids police and past campaign contributions from their union, Becker maintained the decision was purely factual.

Becker explained that second-degree murder was the most severe charge he could pursue, as first-degree murder necessitates premeditation, which evidence did not support.

To secure a conviction, Becker must demonstrate the absence of justification for Lyoya’s killing, arguing at an October 2022 hearing that a shot to the back of the head was indefensible.

Conversely, Schurr’s attorney, Matthew Borgula, contended that the video evidence showed Lyoya turning his head and potentially controlling Schurr’s taser, though this remains contested. While the taser had limited functionality, it could still inflict pain, as per expert testimony.

Borgula also highlighted Michigan’s broad laws on police use of force, arguing that common law permitted Schurr’s actions and urging the dismissal of charges.

Despite Borgula’s arguments, Judge Ayoub allowed the case to proceed to a jury, emphasizing that a jury trial was essential to evaluate the reasonableness of Schurr’s actions.

Jury’s Task and Ongoing Civil Case

The jury must determine whether Schurr acted in self-defense, requiring proof of honest and reasonable belief of imminent danger. Prosecutors assert that Schurr’s position over Lyoya negates this defense, while the defense cites the struggle leading up to the shooting as justification.

Experts and evidence surrounding the taser will play a pivotal role in the trial, focusing on its capabilities and Lyoya’s alleged control over it. Jurors will assess whether Schurr’s fear was justified when firing his weapon.

Meanwhile, the civil case remains unresolved. The Lyoya family’s lawsuit, initially targeting both Schurr and the city for rights violations and wrongful death, now focuses solely on Schurr after the city’s removal as a defendant. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to hear Schurr’s appeal.

For the Lyoya family, the wait for justice continues. Amid the legal complexities, Peter Lyoya expressed his frustration over the prolonged process through his son, Thomas, who translated, “It feels like, almost like they’re picking on him, like he’s not nobody important or something.”

Patrick Lyoya’s journey from a refugee camp to Michigan had been driven by the hope of a better future. As the trial commences on April 28, his family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice.