As the extensive jury selection process wrapped up in the trial of former Grand Rapids police officer Christopher Schurr, Managing Partner Randall Levine provided insight to Mid-Michigan Now and WWMT News Channel 3 about what may or may not be required of the jury.
While the case has had widespread news coverage since Patrick Lyoya was shot and killed in April 2022 in Grand Rapids, Kent County Circuit Judge Christina Mims gave strict instructions for jurors to not to read, watch or listen to anything on social media or in the news during trial.
In addition, it was not required of jurors to have not seen the body camera video of Lyoya being shot. Most Jurors admitted they had seen the video, while only some said they were unfamiliar with the case, Mid-Michigan Now reported.
“People already have strong opinions about what occurred based on what they've seen, but the court will instruct them that the only evidence that they are to consider is evidence that they hear in the courtroom,” Levine said in his interview with Mid-Michigan Now.
The jury and alternates consist of four men and 10 women; at least one juror is biracial and three others are Hispanic. Though the jury is not sequestered, they are not permitted to discuss details of the case or confirm their involvement, according to Judge Mims. They also cannot visit the scene or view any outside content about the case from this point forward.
On April 4, 2022, former Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr pulled over 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya for a license plate violation. Body camera video showed Lyoya, whose blood-alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit, trying to flee the scene. Schurr and Lyoya then get into a physical struggle over Schurr's taser, body camera video revealing Lyoya's hand on the taser. A video showed Schurr on top of Lyoya, who is face down to the ground. The former officer then shot Lyoya in the back of the head.
“The black motorist died at the hands of the white police officer, that is known by everyone in this community,” Levine told WWMT. “The questions, though, become whether or not the government can prove beyond a reasonable doubt whether or not the police officer’s actions were justified.”
Schurr is charged with second-degree murder in connection to Lyoya's death. If convicted, Schurr could face a maximum sentence of up to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Watch the full interviews: