AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Judge Dayna Blazey has sentenced Austin police officer Christopher Taylor to two-years in prison in his conduct case. He is out on an appellate bond and not in custody.
In October, a jury found him guilty of deadly conduct in the 2019 police shooting of Mauris DeSilva. Police responded to 911 calls of DeSilva walking around his downtown Austin condo complex with a knife to his throat.
Officers confronted DeSilva outside of an elevator in a common area of the building, told him to drop the knife, and shot and killed him. Taylor and another officer, Karl Krycia, fired guns. Another officer fired a Taser.
View body camera video of the shooting here.
Taylor's attorneys argued Taylor acted in defense of himself and others. Former police chiefs who testified during the sentencing hearing said that Taylor acted in accordance with his training.
Prosecutors said DeSilva was undergoing a “profound” mental health episode, and police did not need to shoot him. The jury deliberated for about four days before entering its guilty verdict.
Tuesday's hearing began with the Defense calling its remaining witnesses.
You can review live updates from the courtroom below on the social media platform "X."
The defense's first witness Tuesday was Brian Martin, an APD detective.
He testified to a 2022 incident where an officer was stabbed repeatedly with a knife Taylor's attorneys said was similar to the knife DeSilva had with him.
Taylor's attorneys said they wanted to provide a "real-life" example of the danger presented by individuals armed with knives.
Prosecutors objected to the testimony, but Judge Dana Blazey said she would allow it and that she, as the one making the sentencing decision, would decide how much weight to give it.
Former District Attorney Margaret Moore testified next. On the stand, she discussed how, when she took office, she created a new system for investigating police shootings to include a separate division to handle the process. That division was led by Dexter Gilford, one of the current prosecutors on this case.
Following an objection made by the State, Blazey said she would recuse herself from the remainder of Moore's testimony given the working relationship the two had when Moore was the district attorney.
In Texas, defendants have the right to choose whether a judge or jury determines their punishment. Taylor chose the judge, so Judge Blazey will have the final decision in the matter.
The deadly conduct charge holds a punishment range of 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Probation is possible if an individual does not have any prior convictions, which Taylor does not.
Probation is not possible, however, if a judge issues a legal decision called a "deadly weapon finding," in a deadly conduct case.
In court Tuesday, the State made a case arguing Judge Blazey was required to issue such an affirmative finding. Judge Dayna Blazey ultimately agreed, saying because the jury convicted Taylor for using a firearm in the case, she has no discretion on the matter and must issue an affirmative deadly weapon finding, which made Taylor ineligible for probation.
Taylor was originally charged with murder in this case, but it was downgraded, according to court proceedings.
According to online court records, Krycia, the other officer who shot DeSilva, still faces a murder charge in this case.
"I am saddened by the fact that so many have been impacted by this tragic event. This is a tragedy for the Austin community and the Austin Police Department," Chief Lisa Davis said in a statement Tuesday evening.
Davis, who just assumed the role in September, did not publicly address her thoughts on Taylor's actions that day, but said she is proud to lead this department and that APD is "continually re-evaluating its training and practices."
Another portion of her statement is below:
One of my primary commitments as Chief is to earn our community’s and officers’ trust through transparency, accountability, and action.
APD Chief Lisa Davis
Under my leadership, we will ensure that the sanctity of human life and officer safety and wellness are at the center of our training, policies, and procedures.
The foundation of our practices will be grounded in constitutional policing, police legitimacy, and procedural justice. Our personnel need and deserve the very best leadership, training, and resources. I am confident that city leadership will support us in this endeavor.
We cannot fail our community or our officers. We must prevent these tragic events in the future. We do this by ensuring that our officers are healthy, well trained, and confident in their ability to serve our community.
Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, called this a "political game," in a statement to KXAN.
"Throughout this trial, they have ignored and tried to discredit their own experts, claimed to be tactical experts, gone after officers who were called in to testify, and made every attempt to vilify the Austin Police Department," his statement said, in part. "[The district attorney] has spent untold amounts of taxpayer money to repeatedly go after Detective Taylor, who was put in an impossible position and forced to defend himself and others against someone high on meth and armed with a knife."
The District Attorney's Office released the following statement around 7:45 p.m. the night of the sentence.
“We are grateful for our devoted team who worked diligently to ensure accountability for the defendant and to seek justice for the victim and their family. We truly hope this outcome brings comfort and support to the DeSilva family as they continue their healing journey.”
District Attorney Jose Garza
