Local Prosecution Politics

The Texas 7th Court of Appeals has reversed the deadly-conduct conviction of former Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor and entered an acquittal, a year after a Travis County jury sentenced him to two years in prison over the 2019 fatal shooting of 46-year-old Mauris DeSilva during a mental health call at a downtown condo. The appellate panel held that, as a matter of law, an officer could reasonably believe deadly force was necessary when an elevator opened to reveal DeSilva holding a knife and advancing toward officers, rejecting the jury’s finding and prompting renewed criticism of progressive Travis County District Attorney José Garza from police-union leaders.