Following the announcement that the judge in the ex-GRPD officer Christopher Schurr murder trail declared a mistrial on Thursday, May 8, Randall Levine sat down with WWMT – News Channel 3 to provide legal expertise, saying he’s not surprised the trial ended in a mistrial.
“I'm sure the defense is disappointed that there is no verdict,” Levine said in his interview. “On the other hand, Mr. Schurr walked out of that courtroom this morning, a free man, and had the jury convicted him of murder, he'd be in custody right now."
Schurr is charged in the death of Patrick Lyoya in 2022.
Jurors received the case Monday, deliberated all day Tuesday and Wednesday, before the judge declared a mistrial Thursday. The jury told the judge multiple times that they couldn't reach a verdict.
“They had been out a long time and it was obvious that there were some divisions there,” said Levine, who’s not connected with the Schurr case.
Levine told WWMT that asking the jury to come to a consensus was a tall order, considering they had several options on the table. The jury could've convicted Schurr on second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or they could’ve acquitted.
“This is a case that had peculiarities,” Levine said. “You had a police officer charged with murder and our law in Michigan doesn't really address the standard for a police officer when acting in self-defense.”
Watch the full interview, here.