After deliberating since Monday afternoon, the twelve jurors told Judge Christina Mims Thursday morning, they could not reach a verdict.
“What I’m going to do is declare a mistrial.”
Former police officer Christopher Schurr is charged with second degree murder in the death of Patrick Lyoya in 2022 after a traffic stop turned into a struggle over Schurr’s taser and ended with the officer fatally shooting Lyoya in the back of the head with his gun.
Speaking with media after talking with jurors privately, attorneys for both sides compliment the jury’s careful and respectful deliberation.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said there are several similar police-involved cases across the country that have ended in hung juries, so he was not surprised as this was a complicated, difficult case.
“They disagreed. There was definitely some tension, but they got along, and they seemed to be really trying to make an effort so I didn’t feel it was a knock-down drag-out or anything like that.”
Schurr’s defense lawyer, Matthew Borgula declined to share verdict details but gave this clue.
“It was overwhelmingly in favor of acquittal and there were holdouts on the other side.”
The prosecutor now has three options: try the case again with a new jury, offer a plea deal to the defendant or dismiss the charges. He says he’ll take time to consider but will make a decision soon.
