Since the shooting of Patrick Lyoya in 2022, there has not been a lot in the news about the progression of the case. In this interview with the Grand Rapids Times, NAACP President Cle Jackson and Attorney Carlton made the following comments.
Mayers II, Esq:
Right now we have to wait on the Michigan Supreme Court. I think that what is important for the community to do is to make sure that their voices are not silent and are still being heard on this issue so that the courts, prosecutor and decision makers understand that the community is paying attention, the community is watching and the community cares about getting justice for Patrick Lyoya's death. Back in 2022 when this first happened, their was a lot of movement in regards to improving police and community relations in Grand Rapids. Now that movement has slowed compared to what it was two years ago. People in the community are not as engaged on this particular case.
There is not a lot of protesting or outreach efforts being made to keep the case in the media.
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, there is someone who is still paying to put Justice for Patrick poster boards. The local government and the police department have put out the narrative that it's just this one officer. The local police department itself does not have any issues and the issue is not a systemic problem.
Even when you look at this one officer, it's not really that big of a deal. When that happens, the community loses interest because they think that he has been arrested and that their job is over. That is not the case.
The pressure needs to be continuous and needs to be constantly put upon the prosecutors office to make sure that they actually put two hundred percent of the prosecutor's resources and expertise into making sure that former officer Schurr is prosecuted to the fullest extent and also making sure that the judge knows that the community will not be happy if they come down with a decision that would be in the favor of Officer Schurr where he gets off with little to no accountability for taking the life of Patrick Lyoya who was unarmed while legal force was used on him on camera.
So it is important that the community stays engaged and that they continue to come out, even on social media and or in person when the supreme court is heard.
I also think that it is important for them to write letters to the prosecutors office in particular, so that it is known that people are still paying attention and they are still ready and willing to hold the prosecutor accountable if they do not put their two hundred percent effort in prosecuting former officer Schurr.
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