AUSTIN, Texas — An appeals courtroom has overturned the conviction of a former Austin police officer sentenced to jail in reference to a 2019 deadly taking pictures, reversing the jury’s verdict and issuing a judgment of acquittal.
The seventh Court of Appeals dominated to reverse the conviction of former Austin Police officer Christopher Taylor, who had been discovered responsible of lethal conduct within the taking pictures demise of 46-year-old Mauris DeSilva, based on the Texas Tribune. Taylor was sentenced to 2 years in jail following the December 2024 verdict however remained free on bond whereas his enchantment was pending, based on his lawyer, Doug O’Connell.
O’Connell confirmed Dec. 30 that the appellate courtroom’s determination absolutely acquits Taylor of the cost.
BREAKING: The seventh Court of Appeals has rendered Judgment within the case of APD Officer Christopher Taylor – REVERSED & ACQUITTED! We are so completely happy for our shopper! Full media assertion will comply with.
— Doug OConnell (@DouglasOConnell) December 31, 2025
The taking pictures occurred in July 2019 after Austin police responded to a 911 name reporting a person armed with a knife inside a downtown condominium constructing. Officers encountered DeSilva close to an elevator. Body-worn digital camera video confirmed officers confined contained in the elevator because the doorways opened to a hallway the place DeSilva was standing with a knife.
In its ruling, the appellate courtroom discovered that the circumstances justified the officers’ actions.
“The body-worn camera footage shows officers confined inside an elevator as the doors open onto a hallway,” Justice Alex Yarbrough wrote within the courtroom’s opinion. “DeSilva is initially facing a mirror with a knife to his own throat. When the doors open, DeSilva turns toward the officers, reorients the knife away from himself and toward them, and advances in their direction. The officers have no meaningful avenue of retreat or ability to create distance.”
Taylor was initially indicted on a homicide cost, which was later diminished to lethal conduct earlier than trial. His conviction marked the primary time in trendy Austin Police Department historical past that an on-duty officer was convicted in reference to a deadly taking pictures.
Charges have been beforehand dropped towards a second officer concerned within the DeSilva incident.
Taylor was terminated from the Austin Police Department following his sentencing. He was additionally tried in reference to the 2020 on-duty taking pictures demise of Mike Ramos, who was unarmed and fleeing in a automobile on the time. That case resulted in a mistrial.
Earlier this yr, Texas lawmakers handed laws exempting legislation enforcement officers from being charged with lethal conduct for actions taken within the line of responsibility.
The Austin Police Department mentioned it’s conscious of the appellate ruling and can evaluation the choice with town lawyer’s workplace.
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