AUSTIN, Texas — Prosecutors have decided not to go forward with the trial of Austin police officer Christopher Taylor in the 2020 death of Michael Ramos, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office.
A grand jury declined to indict Taylor on multiple new charges this week, including a charge of aggravated assault. Prosecutors say the decision not to indict prompted them to not go forward with the trial that was originally scheduled to begin in September.
A jury deadlocked last fall on whether to convict Taylor, who shot and killed Ramos in April 2020 after officers said Ramos failed to obey orders and got into a car and started driving away. The case fueled Austin's social justice movement months later.
Taylor's defense attorneys say he fired to protect himself and fellow officers from being hit by Ramos' car. Prosecutors say Ramos was only trying to flee.
"We are surprised and disappointed at this result, but we also respect the grand jury's decision and time," Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a statement. "Our hearts continue to break for the Ramos family, who we know are still grieving."
"Today's decision is a travesty of justice," said Chas Moore, executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition. "The system has once again failed to hold a police officer accountable for the unjust killing of a Black man. This isn't just about Michael Ramos; it's about the message this sends to our community – that Black lives still don't matter to those in power."
Meanwhile, the attorneys for Taylor, Ken Ervin and Doug O'Connell, released a statement saying in part, "As of today, Mr. Garza still has a pending murder indictment against Officer Taylor for the shooting death of Mike Ramos, and Mr. Garza can still legally proceed to trial on that indictment. This latest grand jury no-bill is of zero legal consequence to the existing indictment and it does not prevent him from taking the existing indictment to trial a third time."
The attorneys said they believe Garza is "selectively disclosing or withholding evidence from grand juries to ensure they issue indictments against law enforcement officers."
"No dismissal is required by what happened today," Ervin and O'Connell said. "Mr. Garza is dismissing the case because he knows no Travis County jury will believe Officer Taylor committed any crime, and because he wants to avoid yet another embarrassing defeat involving a trial against a law enforcement officer."
Scott Hendler, attorney for mother Brenda Ramos, released the following statement: "Brenda Ramos and her family are appalled and dismayed at the incomprehensible decision of the grand jury to no bill APD Officer Chris Taylor. The grand jury’s conclusion cuts against the overwhelming weight of evidence of Officer Taylor’s culpability in the senseless shooting death of Mike Ramos. She looks forward to facing Taylor in federal court and holding him accountable for the baseless and gratuitous killing of her son."
Background on this case
In November 2023, after four days and more than 34 hours of deliberations, a jury sent three notes to the court saying they could not reach a unanimous decision on the verdict in Taylor's case, leaving both sides to declare a mistrial.
Taylor was facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with Ramos' death. This was the second time in 2023 that a mistrial was declared for Taylor.
In early December, the Travis County DA confirmed that his office would take Taylor back to trial in the case of Ramos' death. That trial was set to begin on Sept. 23, 2024, but will no longer take place.
In late December, the Austin Police Department said Taylor had been placed on administrative duty.
Separate from the Ramos case, Taylor also faces a second murder charge involving the death of Mauris DeSilva in 2019. He and a fellow officer opened fire on DeSilva after they said he moved toward them with a knife. DeSilva’s family has said he was suffering a mental health break at that point.