The sentencing hearing for Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, who was found guilty of deadly conduct by a jury last month, continued on Monday morning. Taylor chose to have the judge determine his punishment, and Judge Dayna Blazey will decide. The possible sentence for deadly conduct is 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Probation is also an option for Taylor since he has no prior convictions.
The incident in question involved the shooting of Mauris Nishanga DeSilva in his downtown Austin condo complex on July 31, 2019. Police officers, including Taylor, responded to 911 calls reporting DeSilva holding a knife to his neck. The defense argues that Taylor acted in self-defense and to protect others, while the State claims that DeSilva was experiencing a severe mental health episode and did not pose a threat that warranted deadly force.
During the trial, three witnesses testified for the defense on Monday. Bruce Mills, a former city official, stated that he saw no problem with the officers’ response. Howard Williams, a Texas State professor, did not find their actions criminally negligent, but acknowledged that others might disagree. Rich Daugherty, Taylor’s former landlord, spoke to Taylor’s character.
The State also brought up Taylor’s previous involvement in the case of Mike Ramos, whose death he was tried for but never convicted. Witnesses discussed Ramos’ criminal history and behavior during the incident, trying to establish a pattern of behavior for Taylor.
The defense objected to the inclusion of evidence from the Ramos case during the sentencing phase, but Judge Blazey allowed it, stating that she would weigh the evidence accordingly. The officers who responded to the Ramos incident alongside Taylor testified about their perceptions of the threat Ramos posed.
The defense’s argument centers on Taylor’s actions being justified based on the circumstances and the perceived threat, while the State emphasizes the mental state of the victims in both cases to question the necessity of lethal force. The final decision on Taylor’s sentence rests with Judge Blazey, who will consider all the evidence presented during the trial and the sentencing hearing.
