GRAND RAPIDS—A Michigan judge on Friday refused to dismiss a second-degree murder charge against a former Grand Rapids police officer who was fired after shooting a Black motorist in the back of the head during a struggle over a Taser.
Christopher Schurr is scheduled for trial March 13 in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya last April. Circuit Judge Christina Elmore rejected a defense motion to throw out the case. Defense attorney Matthew Borgula said after the hearing that his team would appeal.
Schurr’s lawyers argued he acted in self-defense and that Michigan law allows police officers to use deadly force to stop someone from fleeing and to make an arrest. Video recordings showed Schurr was straddling Lyoya’s body as the Congolese refugee lay face down beneath him.
Prosecutors said the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding probable cause to proceed to trial. A judge at a preliminary hearing found sufficient evidence that a jury could conclude Schurr did not reasonably believe his life was immediately at risk. Elmore agreed.
Schurr was fired last June after spending months on paid leave. He spent one night in jail, then posted bond.
Attorneys for Lyoya’s family have filed a separate civil lawsuit against Schurr and the city of Grand Rapids.
Politics
Biden administration bans noncompete clauses for workers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted on Tuesday to ban noncompete agreements—those pesky clauses that employers often force their workers to...
Remember Betsy? Michigan education leaders blast Trump for ‘abandoning’ public schools
Michigan lawmakers and teachers are rallying behind President Joe Biden—and reflecting on a rough period for public schools after Trump put Betsy...
Michigan Dems announce bills banning PFAS in household products
BY SUSAN J. DEMAS, MICHIGAN ADVANCE MICHIGAN—Two Democratic House members on Monday announced they are sponsoring legislation that would eventually...
Local News
Children of Flint water crisis make change as young environmental and health activists
FLINT—Their childhood memories are still vivid: warnings against drinking or cooking with tap water, enduring long lines for cases of water, washing...
These students are protecting the ‘coral reefs’ of Michigan—and you can too
Vernal pools are a critical part of Michigan’s natural ecosystem—but they’re not protected by state regulations. Here’s how Michiganders are...