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Prosecutor who charged Michigan cop praised by his critics

A Michigan prosecutor who charged a police officer with murder in the shooting of Patrick Lyoya is being praised by some of his early critics

FILE - This undated photograph provided by Ben Crump Law shows Patrick Lyoya. Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday, June ix, 2022, against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Patrick Lyoya, a Blackness homo who was on the ground when he was shot in the back of the head following an intense physical struggle recorded on a bystander's phone. (Courtesy of Ben Crump Law via AP, File)

The Associated Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Black ceremonious rights activists in April demanded that a Michigan prosecutor stand aside in the investigation of the police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the caput, challenge he was likewise cozy with local law enforcement.

Chris Becker's response: This is what I was elected to practice.

Becker, a Republican, filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against Chiliad Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, whose fatal shot post-obit a traffic stop on April 4 was recorded on a bystander's phone. The annunciation was praised by critics who for weeks had said that Michigan's Autonomous attorney general should accept over.

"I was shocked, to be quite honest. I was admittedly shocked. I didn't await that," said Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who previously had said that an unbiased investigation past Becker's role was non possible.

"We're thankful for Chris having that fortitude to bring the charge that we experience comfortable with. Now we'll have to continue to fight in the courts," Jackson said.

Schurr, 31, was released from jail Friday after appearing in courtroom by video. Bond was set at $100,000, and a non-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Defense attorneys insist the officeholder feared for his safety when he shot Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo.

The courtroom benches were full of spectators, some wearing T-shirts with pro-police slogans, including #StandwithSchurr. As dozens of Schurr supporters departed, many embracing, they were met past pro-Lyoya demonstrators chanting, "Justice for Patrick!" The Schurr oversupply said little. One white man tried to debate with the pro-Lyoya group simply was apace shouted down.

The practice of land prosecutors handling law shootings has become common, especially in tense, high-contour cases with diverging public opinion and perceptions that local authorities favor officers. In Minnesota, the attorney general's role won convictions against Derek Chauvin in the decease of George Floyd and Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.

Maine has long given its attorney general sole power in such cases. California requires the attorney general to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians. New York created a special unit within the attorney general's office. Minnesota state prosecutors take cases upon request.

In Michigan, Becker could have asked Chaser Full general Dana Nessel to step in — an option for a prosecutor who has a conflict of interest or needs sure expertise — but he said information technology wasn't necessary.

The son of a longtime local newspaper sports editor, Becker was elected Kent County prosecutor in 2016 after years as a trial lawyer in the same office.

He dismissed claims that he couldn't adequately examine the acts of a police officer in 1000 Rapids, the largest city in western Michigan with a population of roughly 200,000.

"We are our own entity," he said Th. "We have a duty to enforce the law. Nosotros work a lot with them, merely nosotros don't work for them."

Local defense attorney Rick Zambon said earlier criticism of Becker was unfair.

"I've been dealing with him for 30 years," Zambon said. "I've e'er found him to be a forthright, open up-minded person. He doesn't play politics. ... I don't always concur with his charging decisions, but I can't say they're not without a lot of idea."

Nessel, who repeatedly said she was willing to take the Lyoya case if asked, complimented the "exhaustive review" by state police force and Becker's function. Lyoya'due south family, too, said the 2nd-degree murder charge fit.

Ven Johnson, a lawyer who is expected to file a lawsuit over the shooting, was scheduling media interviews this week with Lyoya'southward family to express acrimony over the pace of the investigation before Becker signaled that his decision was in.

"While the route to justice for Patrick and his family has simply begun, this determination is a crucial pace in the correct direction," co-counsel Ben Crump said.

Later the charge was announced, protesters gathered outside City Hall and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Some weren't satisfied.

"I appreciate the 2d-degree murder, but to me it's nevertheless like a slap in the face, to be honest, because I need offset-caste," said Jimmy Barwan, 25, of Chiliad Rapids. "Life without parole."

2nd-degree murder in Michigan can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison house, just offenders typically get an opportunity for parole.

"A Black man would not get any chance of parole," Jalauna Williams, 20, of Thousand Rapids, said.

Becker was asked by a reporter if he was trying to send a bulletin to constabulary with the murder charge.

"I'm never big on sending messages with charges," he replied. "I'm non thinking that Kent County officers or any police officers in general thought they had a license to become out and do something like this. This is not a message. This is just based on the facts."

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White reported from Detroit. Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed.

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Find the AP's full coverage of the fatal law shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/michigan-officer-charged-lyoya-shooting-set-hearing-85306589

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