GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — After lower than two days of deliberation, the jury within the trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr declared it was deadlocked on Tuesday, however it’s not completed.
Kent County Circuit Courtroom Decide Christina Mims despatched the jurors again to maintain making an attempt.
Members of the jury had deliberated for a complete of about 10 hours once they advised the choose about 3 p.m. that they could not attain a verdict within the April 2022 capturing loss of life of Patrick Lyoya after a site visitors cease in Grand Rapids.
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That led Schurr’s protection lawyer, Matt Borgula, to ask the choose for a mistrial.
“I’m going to deny that at this point,” the choose dominated. “This happens pretty frequently, at least from my standpoint and my experience, so I’m going to give them this instruction, allow them to continue to deliberate. Typically, if they come back after this, sometimes they are able to reach a verdict, sometimes not.”
The jury began deliberating at 1:45 p.m. Monday, thought-about for about three hours earlier than going dwelling for the day, then returned Tuesday morning, deliberating about seven extra hours earlier than saying it was deadlocked.
“They really haven’t been deliberating that extended period of time,” the choose stated.
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The 12-member jury has had loads to undergo — 5 and a half days of testimony, 23 witnesses, together with Schurr, and plenty of proof, together with movies of the capturing.
The prosecution says the capturing — a single shot to the again of Lyoya’s head — was unjustified. The protection has argued Schurr feared for his life and fired the shot in self protection.
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The jury has three choices: second-degree homicide, which carries as much as life in jail with parole, manslaughter with a most sentence of 15 years, or not responsible of something.
“You have returned from deliberations indicating that you believe you cannot reach a verdict,” the choose stated Tuesday afternoon, addressing the jury. “I’m going to ask you to please return to the jury room and resume your deliberations in the hope that after further discussion you will be able to reach a verdict.”
She implored them to work collectively, however to additionally rise up for themselves.
“Remember, it is your duty to consult with your fellow jurors and try to reach agreement, if you can do so without violating your own judgment. To return a verdict, you must all agree and the verdict must represent the judgment of each of you,” she stated.
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She additionally advised them they may submit a written checklist to her clerk of what’s dividing or complicated them.
“By reasoning the matter out, jurors can often reach agreement,” she advised them.
“So at this time, I’m going to have my clerk come around and take you back to the jury room and we’ll see you soon, hopefully,” she stated.
Protection lawyer Borgula declined to remark, aside from to say: “I asked the judge to declare a mistrial because they’re deadlocked.”
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker declined to remark. A spokesman for Lyoya’s household additionally refused to remark.
The jury was despatched dwelling for the day round 4:45 p.m. They’re anticipated to return Wednesday morning to get again to work.
