AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- A former Austin Police officer convicted of deadly conduct in the 2019 shooting death of a man in downtown Austin has had his conviction overturned by a state appeals court.
The 7th Court of Appeals overturned Christopher Taylor's conviction in the fatal shooting of Mauris DeSilva, reversing the previous verdict and rendered a full judgment of acquittal, effectively clearing Taylor of the charges.
Taylor had previously been convicted by a Travis County jury on charges of deadly conduct and sentenced to two years in prison. Since the verdict, Taylor has been free on an appellate bond pending further court developments.
The charges stemmed from a July 2019 confrontation at a downtown condominium where police responded to reports of DeSilva, 46, holding a knife.
Defense attorney Doug O’Connell confirmed the ruling Tuesday, stating, “Detective Taylor should never have faced prosecution for defending himself and his fellow officers against a man who threatened them with a knife.”
The Austin Police Department acknowledged the ruling and stated they are currently reviewing the decision alongside the City Attorney’s Office.
