More witnesses expected at APD officer's hearing Tuesday, sentence possible next week

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- More witnesses are expected to testify Tuesday as the Defense continues its portion of the sentencing hearing for APD officer Christopher Taylor, who a jury found guilty of deadly conduct last month in the 2019 death of Mauris DeSilva.

Police responded to 911 calls of DeSilva walking around his condo complex with a knife to his throat and ultimately shot and killed him on the fifth floor common area.

Taylor's attorneys said he acted in accordance with his training and in defense of himself and others. Prosecutors said DeSilva was undergoing a "profound" mental health episode, and police did not need to shoot him.

You can follow along with today's proceedings below on the social media platform "X."

Defense's first three witnesses wrap before noon Monday

The defense called three witnesses Monday:

• Bruce Mills, former interim assistant city manager over public safety
• Howard Williams, Texas State professor; State called him as a potential expert witness on the DeSilva case for grand jury proceedings
• Rich Daugherty, Taylor's former landlord and now "close friend"

Mills testified that he did not see any issues with the officers' response to DeSilva. Williams said that he did not find the officers' actions to be criminally negligent, but referenced his previously written report that he noted a reasonable jury may disagree with that.

Daugherty spoke to Taylor's character. You can find more details from Monday's testimony below.

Once proceedings are done Tuesday, the remaining witnesses will testify on Tuesday, Dec. 3, beginning at 1:30 p.m.