A police officer in Austin, Christopher Taylor, was found guilty of deadly conduct in the shooting of Mauris DeSilva in 2019. The jury reached a verdict on Saturday afternoon after deliberating for a few days. The sentencing for Taylor will be determined by Judge Dayna Blazey, with a possible sentence range of 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 15.
Travis County District Attorney José Garza expressed hope that the verdict brings some closure to the DeSilva family and the community. The Austin Police Department acknowledged the jury’s decision and stated that they respect the criminal justice process.
The incident occurred when police responded to reports of DeSilva holding a knife to his neck in a downtown condo complex. Body camera footage of the shooting is available for viewing. The prosecution argued that the police could have done more to de-escalate the situation, while Taylor’s defense claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot DeSilva.
Three other officers were involved in the confrontation, with one officer shooting DeSilva and another firing a Taser. Taylor originally faced a murder charge, which was dropped before the trial. One of the officers, Karl Krycia, still faces a murder charge. Prosecutors questioned why the officers did not gather more information about DeSilva’s mental state before engaging with him.
During the trial, officers testified that they perceived DeSilva as a threat not only to himself but to others in the condo complex. They prioritized addressing the potential danger he posed. The jury’s guilty verdict on deadly conduct indicates that Taylor knowingly fired his weapon at DeSilva, though the defense argued it was in self-defense.
The case has raised questions about police bias and the use of force in situations involving individuals experiencing mental health episodes. The community is awaiting the sentencing hearing to see how Taylor’s punishment will be determined. The impact of this case on police practices and community relations remains to be seen as authorities work towards healing and justice for all those involved.