Michigan Supreme Court Denies Schurr Appeal

The Michigan Supreme Court has denied an appeal from former Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr, who is charged with second-degree murder for the shooting of Patrick Lyoya in April 2022. The court concluded that the questions presented did not warrant review, allowing the case to proceed to trial as ruled by lower courts. Schurr's defense argued that he was justified in using deadly force under Michigan's 'fleeing-felon rule,' but both the Kent County Circuit Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals upheld the decision to take the case to trial. Prosecutor Chris Becker expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, emphasizing the need for a jury to resolve the matter for Lyoya's family. The case has been marked by various legal challenges, including claims of governmental immunity by Schurr's legal team, all of which have been rejected thus far. The next steps involve preparing for the trial to address the circumstances surrounding Lyoya's death during a struggle with Schurr after a traffic stop.