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Analysis: What's next after mistrial declared in case against former GRPD officer Christopher Schurr

Christopher Schurr Trial Day 8
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Christopher Schurr awaits a decision from the jury in his trial for second degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya.
Christopher Schurr Trial Day 8
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — In our ongoing coverage of the trial, we spoke with legal and law enforcement expert Lew Langham, who offered insights into the complexities of the case and the possibility of a new trial. Langham noted that it is likely Chris Becker will refile charges, but he emphasized that the elements of the case may differ in the future.

SEE MORE: MISTRIAL: Jurors unable to reach a verdict in trial of Christopher Schurr

Langham, who is a professor emeritus at Cooley Law School and a former Michigan State Police detective, stated, "I think both sides put on the best case they could have put on. I think the prosecution team did a great job. I think the defense team did a great job. The question becomes at this point ... was the second-degree murder charge too high of an offense to charge?"

MISTRIAL: FOX 17 reports on a hung jury in the trial of Christopher Schurr

He explained that the prosecutor has several options moving forward, including bringing the same charges, not pursuing any charges, or opting for a lesser charge.

The prosecution likely asked crucial questions to the jury on how they perceived the case. As he put it, "What are the one or two things that hung you up on this trial and not being able to make a decision that the defendant was, in fact guilty of this offense of second-degree murder?"

Langham elaborated that if many jurors struggled with Patrick Lyoya's attempt to grab the taser, the prosecutor may need to adjust his strategy in any forthcoming trial: "If most of them have a problem with the fact that Patrick Lyoya had the taser ... then the prosecutor recognizes that he's going to have to address that a little bit differently."

Regarding the potential for another mistrial, Langham mentioned that if it occurs, the prosecution would likely attempt again. However, he noted that after a third mistrial, they may decide not to proceed, citing precedents from other cases.

Langham has previously stated that if the trial were to resume, it could take at least four to five months to get back into the courtroom.

SEE MORE: Group gathers for 'Justice for Patrick' rally, demands retrial

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The Trial of Christopher Schurr: Daily Coverage

Jury Selection - Day 1 Jury Selection - Day 2 Jury Selection - Day 3 The Trial, Day 1: Opening Statements, witnesses The Trial, Day 2: Testimony on tasers, use of force The Trial, Day 3: Prosecution rests case, GRPD officers testify The Trial, Day 4: Defense continues to present its case The Trial, Day 5: Christopher Schurr takes the stand The Trial, Day 6: Defense rests case, closing arguments The Trial, Day 7: Judge reads instruction to deadlocked jury The Trial, Day 8: Deadlocked jury returns for deliberation The Trial, Day 9: Hung jury, judge declares mistrial Analysis: Jury Selection Analysis: The Trial, Day 1 Analysis: The Trial, Day 2 Analysis: The Trial, Day 3 Analysis: Schurr's testimony Analysis: Jury deliberation, closing arguments Analysis: Deadlocked jury, potential for mistrial Analysis: Legal expert: "I suspect tomorrow should be it" Analysis: Judge declares mistrial after hung jury Testimony: Witness to struggle between Schurr, Lyoya Testimony: Expert witness on police use of force Testimony: Grand Rapids police captain Testimony: Christopher Schurr PHOTOS: Protesters rally after mistrial