The Texas 7th Court of Appeals has ended a controversial prosecution by overturning the conviction of a former Austin police officer involved in a fatal on-duty shooting.
Christopher Taylor, once convicted of deadly conduct for the 2019 killing of Mauris DeSilva during a mental health emergency, has been acquitted after the appeals court found the jury's decision unsupported by both law and evidence, Fox News reported.
This case traces back to a chaotic scene in a downtown Austin high-rise, where Taylor and three fellow officers responded to a 911 call about a man reportedly in crisis and armed with a knife.
Conflicting Commands In A Crisis
DeSilva, 46, had been spotted in the building holding a knife to his throat and threatening to harm himself. When the elevator doors opened, officers found him facing a mirror, blade still at his neck.
As DeSilva turned toward the officers and began approaching, the scene descended into confusion. No officer was designated to issue commands, and the air filled with a tangle of shouts: “drop the knife,” “show me your hands,” and others.
Although DeSilva lowered the knife, he continued advancing. At that moment, one officer fired a Taser, while Taylor discharged five rounds, and another officer fired twice. DeSilva died on the spot.
Officer Found Guilty, Court Now Says Otherwise
Prosecutors had initially charged Taylor with murder, but the jury opted for a lesser conviction of deadly conduct. Against his plea of not guilty and claims of self-defense, Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison.
Yet the appeals court found glaring inconsistencies in how the law was applied during the trial, ultimately siding with Taylor’s legal team. The panel ruled the officer had “reasonable grounds to believe deadly force was necessary,” given the split-second choices he faced.
“This case comes down to a single, unavoidable question,” the court wrote. “When an elevator door opens to reveal a man holding a knife who turns toward officers and advances, may an officer reasonably believe deadly force is necessary to prevent an imminent murder?”
Criticism Of Prosecutorial Overreach
While the courtroom drama may have ended, criticism of how the case was handled is far from quiet. At the center of the backlash is Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, a progressive figure backed by left-wing reform dollars and known for targeting law enforcement in the name of criminal justice change.
Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, didn't mince words in his response. “Once again shows that District Attorney Jose Garza manipulated the criminal justice system by repeatedly trying cases against Detective Taylor, until the jury pool was so tainted that an impartial decision could not be made.”
Bullock further called on Garza to reverse course on his broader prosecution of police officers, adding, “With this ruling, the madness must end, and common sense must prevail.”
Backlash Against Progressive DA Intensifies
Doug O’Connell, legal counsel to Taylor, welcomed the court’s decision with justified frustration. “Detective Taylor should never have faced prosecution,” he said, emphasizing the legality of Taylor’s actions in defense of himself and his fellow officers.
The Fox News Digital report underscored that Garza's office, funded in part by a George Soros-linked PAC, has sparked concerns among law enforcement for transforming the justice system into a political minefield. The DA's silence since the acquittal only deepened the frustration in policing circles.
So far, Garza’s office has declined to respond to media requests regarding the court's ruling, despite its implications for other pending cases involving police officers still facing prosecution under his leadership.
