Former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr is charged with second degree murder after shooting Congolese Immigrant Patrick Lyoya in the back of the head during a traffic stop on April 4th.
Schurr, who has pleaded not guilty, has been out of jail since June after posting a $100,000 bond.
Initially, a probable cause hearing had been set for July 18th, then delayed until August 30h, and then delayed again.
Now, both the prosecution and defense team will meet in court Friday to set a new date for the hearing.
Meanwhile, Patrick Lyoya’s family has stated publicly that they are growing increasingly frustrated with pace of the trial. At a protest on the steps of the Kent County Courthouse, Patrick Lyoya’s father, Peter, speaking through an interpreter, called the trial delays a ‘dagger to the heart.’
“I am asking the judge really to take into consideration, Patrick’s family.”
The defense told Kent County District Court Judge Nicholas Ayoub on August 19th that the team needed more time to thoroughly review the Grand Rapids Police Department’s policies and procedures, specifically around taser training and excessive force training.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker did not object to the request, telling judge Ayoub he did not want to give the defense team a reason to call for a mistrial later.
