AUSTIN, Texas — An appeals court has overturned the conviction of a former Austin police officer sentenced to prison in connection with a 2019 fatal shooting, reversing the jury’s verdict and issuing a judgment of acquittal.
The 7th Court of Appeals ruled to reverse the conviction of former Austin Police officer Christopher Taylor, who had been found guilty of deadly conduct in the shooting death of 46-year-old Mauris DeSilva, according to the Texas Tribune. Taylor was sentenced to two years in prison following the December 2024 verdict but remained free on bond while his appeal was pending, according to his attorney, Doug O’Connell.
O’Connell confirmed Dec. 30 that the appellate court’s decision fully acquits Taylor of the charge.
BREAKING: The 7th Court of Appeals has rendered Judgment in the case of APD Officer Christopher Taylor - REVERSED & ACQUITTED! We are so happy for our client! Full media statement will follow.
— Doug OConnell (@DouglasOConnell) December 31, 2025
The shooting happened in July 2019 after Austin police responded to a 911 call reporting a man armed with a knife inside a downtown condominium building. Officers encountered DeSilva near an elevator. Body-worn camera video showed officers confined inside the elevator as the doors opened to a hallway where DeSilva was standing with a knife.
In its ruling, the appellate court found that the circumstances justified the officers’ actions.
“The body-worn camera footage shows officers confined inside an elevator as the doors open onto a hallway,” Justice Alex Yarbrough wrote in the court’s opinion. “DeSilva is initially facing a mirror with a knife to his own throat. When the doors open, DeSilva turns toward the officers, reorients the knife away from himself and toward them, and advances in their direction. The officers have no meaningful avenue of retreat or ability to create distance.”
Taylor was originally indicted on a murder charge, which was later reduced to deadly conduct before trial. His conviction marked the first time in modern Austin Police Department history that an on-duty officer was convicted in connection with a fatal shooting.
Charges were previously dropped against a second officer involved in the DeSilva incident.
Taylor was terminated from the Austin Police Department following his sentencing. He was also tried in connection with the 2020 on-duty shooting death of Mike Ramos, who was unarmed and fleeing in a vehicle at the time. That case ended in a mistrial.
Earlier this year, Texas lawmakers passed legislation exempting law enforcement officers from being charged with deadly conduct for actions taken in the line of duty.
The Austin Police Department said it is aware of the appellate ruling and will review the decision with the city attorney’s office.
