Overview
- The Seventh Court of Appeals reversed Christopher Taylor’s deadly-conduct conviction and entered an acquittal on legal-sufficiency grounds.
- The opinion said video showed officers confined in an elevator as Mauris DeSilva turned with a knife and advanced, leaving no meaningful way to retreat.
- Taylor had been convicted by a Travis County jury in October 2024 and received a two-year sentence, then remained free on bond during the appeal.
- The Austin Police Department fired Taylor after sentencing and says it will review the decision with the City Attorney’s Office.
- Attorneys for DeSilva’s family plan to pursue a civil case, noting that a 2025 state law limits deadly-conduct charges against on-duty officers.