Former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor sues chief to get his job back
Former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor on Tuesday sued Police Chief Lisa Davis for not reinstating him to the force after a Texas court overturned his conviction last year in a 2019 fatal shooting.
The suit says Taylor lost his job solely because he was found guilty in the death of Mauris DeSilva, a man with a knife who was experiencing a mental health episode, when Taylor shot him in a downtown condo tower. Under Texas law, officers are not eligible to have a peace officer’s license when they are found guilty of a felony.
However, the state reinstated Taylor’s license earlier this year after the Seventh Court of Appeals overturned his conviction, saying that no “reasonable” jury would have convicted him.
Taylor was not disciplined for policy violations by the department, and the suit says his conviction was the only reason he lost his position.
“Despite (Taylor’s) license having been fully reinstated, retroactively, and the underlying conviction having been reversed, Chief Davis has refused to reinstate (Taylor) to his former position with the same rank, seniority, pay and benefits to which he is entitled,” the suit said.
“Christopher Taylor’s attorneys have informed us of the lawsuit, which has not yet been formally served on the city,” spokeswoman Jenny LaCoste-Caputo said. “We intend to defend the lawsuit in court.”
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Source: Former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor sues chief to get his job back
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