John Tunison

3 days ago | mlive.com | John Tunison

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Peter Lyoya says a murder conviction against former Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr is the only way to bring justice for his son. Lyoya’s son, 26-year-old Black immigrant Patrick Lyoya, was shot and killed three years ago by Schurr during a traffic stop and struggle. The trial now looms, with jury selection set for Tuesday. Related: Former Grand Rapids officer’s state of mind, not Patrick Lyoya’s, focus of murder trialBut who was Patrick Lyoya?

6 days ago | mlive.com | John Tunison

GRAND HAVEN, MI -- A 35-year-old Ottawa County man has been sentenced to a minimum 25 years in prison for shooting his girlfriend during a domestic dispute. Vaughn Lowe Smith was sentenced Friday, April 18, in Ottawa County Circuit Court on a charge of attempted murder. Police alleged there was an altercation on May 23, 2024 at an Allendale area home on 96th Avenue near Winans Street. Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies learned that Smith shot a woman at least twice.

1 week ago | mlive.com | John Tunison

MICHIGAN -- The former Grand Rapids police officer accused of killing Black motorist Patrick Lyoya is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his civil case. Attorneys for Christopher Schurr filed documents earlier this year asking the nation’s highest court to weigh in on whether Schurr deserves qualified immunity. Justices were scheduled to discuss the case in private Thursday, April 17 and whether they would hear arguments. It’s not clear when a decision will be announced.

1 week ago | mlive.com | John Tunison

GRAND HAVEN, MI -- An Ottawa County businessman has pleaded no contest to several charges after he was accused of taking upskirt photos of women. Mark Edwin Dykema, 40, entered pleas Wednesday, April 16 in Ottawa County Circuit Court to surveilling an unclothed person and using a computer to commit a crime. Dykema was charged in both Ottawa and Kent counties with similar crimes. He was formerly the Tulip Time board chair and also was formerly a part-owner of several Biggby Coffee franchises.

1 week ago | mlive.com | John Tunison

DETROIT, MI -- As the trial nears for a former officer accused in the killing of Black motorist Patrick Lyoya, his family says the pain persists from his loss. “Our heart is still broken” Lyoya’s father, Peter, told MLive Wednesday, April 16, during an interview less than a week before jury selection begins April 22. “To see how long this has taken, even though we are going to trial...since we haven’t gotten the justice yet we deserve for our son, we are not at peace,” Lyoya said.