A listening to is happening in Michigan on Thursday to find out whether or not Christopher Schurr, the previous Grand Rapids police officer charged with second-degree homicide for killing unarmed 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya, will stand trial.
Schurr shot Lyoya, a Congolese refugee, at the back of the pinnacle at shut vary on April 4 whereas pinning him to the bottom. He was the primary officer with the division to be charged within the loss of life of a civilian and was fired in June.
Schurr’s authorized crew is showing in court docket on Thursday for a preliminary examination listening to, throughout which a decide will determine if there may be sufficient proof for the previous officer to face trial within the subsequent month.
Lyoya’s household arrived contained in the courtroom after 8:30 a.m. Safety was anticipated to be current ― there have been confrontations at earlier hearings, together with a shouting match between supporters of Lyoya and Schurr contained in the courtroom in June.
The taking pictures rapidly garnered nationwide consideration, and civil rights activist Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy throughout Lyoya’s funeral. Sharpton known as on the Division of Justice to research the taking pictures, however the division has not opened its personal probe.
At Thursday’s listening to, Aime Tuyishme, Lyoya’s shut buddy who described him as like a “brother,” and others shared additional particulars about what occurred that day.
A lot is already recognized, because of footage from each a physique digital camera and Tuyishme’s cellphone. Physique digital camera footage from exhibits Schurr approaching Lyoya throughout a site visitors cease and telling him that his license plate was not registered to the automobile he was driving.
Lyoya tried to get away from Schurr, however the officer grabbed him and pinned him to the bottom, slamming his head on the grass and kneeling on his again. Schurr tried to shock him with a stun gun, however Lyoya grabbed it and tried to dam it from placing him.
Police declare that at this level, Schurr’s physique digital camera stopped working. However Tuyishme captured the taking pictures on his cellphone.
Tuyishme testified that he was contained in the automobile when Schurr first approached, then received out and began recording when he noticed Lyoya and Schurr start to battle.
“I received out the automobile and I took out my cellphone,” he mentioned. Tuyishme’s footage performed within the courtroom throughout his testimony.
Tuyishme’s video captured Lyoya and Schurr struggling. He will be heard on the video questioning Schurr’s techniques because the officer took Lyoya to the bottom and kneeled on his again earlier than in the end pulling out his firearm.
Schurr will be heard saying, “Let go of the Taser.” The officer then reached for his gun and shot Lyoya within the head.
An unbiased post-mortem confirmed Lyoya was shot at the back of the pinnacle.
Grand Rapids Police Sgt. Nicholas Calati, who arrived to the scene after the taking pictures, additionally testified on Thursday. He mentioned he advised Schurr to go wait by his automobile whereas others tried to render help to Lyoya. Calati advised prosecutors a number of officers had been already on the scene previous to his arrival.
Schurr’s bond was set for $100,000 and he was launched from Calhoun County jail in June.