Conviction tossed for former Austin officer in 2019 fatal shooting - US Crime Alerts

BACKGROUND:
"Taylor, who had initially been charged with murder, was found guilty by a jury of deadly conduct with a firearm after pleading not guilty and asserting self-defense. The incident unfolded when Taylor and fellow officers responded to a 911 call involving DeSilva, who was experiencing a mental health crisis. The appeals court’s decision marks a significant turn in a case that has drawn intense scrutiny over the prosecution of law enforcement officers."

SHIFTED NARRATIVE:
"The court’s opinion highlighted that when an elevator door opened to reveal DeSilva holding a knife and advancing toward officers, deadly force could be deemed necessary to prevent imminent harm. This ruling directly contradicted the original jury’s finding.

"Bodycam footage reviewed by the court showed DeSilva facing a hallway mirror with a knife at his throat before turning and approaching the officers. Despite multiple commands to drop the weapon and show his hands, DeSilva lowered the knife to his side but continued moving forward. At that moment, Taylor fired five shots, another officer fired twice, and a third deployed a taser, resulting in DeSilva’s death at the scene."

MY BIG TAKEAWAY: At the center of this case is a George Soros supported district attorney, Jose' Garza. Garza has been accused of targeting police officers with politically motivated prosecutions. Law enforcement members in Austin have described Taylor’s initial conviction as a malicious attack on the LEO community. Garza's is also accused of repeatedly trying cases in public until the jury pool was biased, preventing a fair trial.