GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Judge Christina Mims has declared a mistrial in the trial of Christopher Schurr after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
For parts of four days, the jury deliberated over whether the former Grand Rapids police officer was guilty of second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter in the death of Patrick Lyoya.
On Tuesday, Judge Mims read an instruction — also known as the Allen charge — to the jurors, encouraging them to "talk things over in the spirit of fairness and frankness."
Ultimately, the twelve could not reach unanimity in the case, causing a mistrial to be declared on Thursday, May 8.
The prosecution may now retry the case with a new jury — a potential monthslong process — dismiss the charges or enter into a plea agreement with the defendant.
In order to convict or acquit the defendant, the jurors must reach a unanimous verdict. If they are unable, the judge may declare a mistrial.
Shooting death of Patrick Lyoya
MISTRIAL: Jurors unable to reach a verdict in trial of Christopher Schurr
Schurr, a former Grand Rapids police officer, is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old black man whom he shot in the back of the head during an April 2022 traffic stop.
As seen through body camera and dash camera videos from the incident — as well as a cell phone video recorded by a passenger in Lyoya's car — the two had been struggling over Schurr's taser in the front yard of a residence in a southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood.
While the former officer's lawyers claim he acted self-defense, Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker says Schurr's actions were not justified.
Less than a week after Lyoya's death, protesters called for racial justice in a series of large demonstrations throughout Grand Rapids. A number of reforms were later implemented within the Grand Rapids Police Department.
The hung jury comes more than three years after the deadly traffic stop.
LIVE UPDATES (Thursday, May 8):
9:55 a.m.
Judge Mims declares a mistrial.
9:52 a.m.
Judge Christina Mims says the jury has been unable to reach a verdict.
9:32 a.m.
The prosecution and defense return to the courtroom.
Kent County deputies tell those seated in the gallery to put their phones and watches on silent mode.
8:30 a.m.
The jury resumes their deliberation.
7:17 a.m.
A crowd of Christopher Schurr supporters again gather outside the courthouse, carrying thin blue line flags.
"This is consequential for all officers," says Lincoln Rohn, whose nephew was Schurr's partner at the GRPD.
Rohn says he and other demonstrators have received "sickening" and "vile" treatment from those protesting the former officer.
Nearby, a series of sidewalk chalk drawings call for Schurr's conviction.
For FOX 17's previous coverage of the trial of Christopher Schurr and the death of Patrick Lyoya, click here.