Christopher Schurr Murder Trial Enters Day 3 in Kent County

The murder trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, charged with second-degree murder for the 2022 killing of Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop, continued with testimony from multiple prosecution experts and witnesses. Expert testimony addressed the risks and proper use of tasers, with one expert noting that serious injuries or deaths from tasers are rare but possible, especially in untrained hands, while others argued Schurr's use of force was excessive and not in line with standard police practices. The prosecution's use-of-force experts maintained that Schurr had alternative options to de-escalate the situation and prevent Lyoya from grabbing the taser. Eyewitnesses and friends of Lyoya described the events of the morning, with video footage of the fatal encounter also being reviewed in court. Jury instructions clarified that prosecutors must prove Schurr intended to kill or cause great bodily harm and that the killing was not justified. Throughout the proceedings, objections and debates over expert testimony and courtroom procedures have been frequent, with the judge largely siding with the prosecution.