FORT WORTH — Former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean was convicted of manslaughter Thursday in the death of 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson, who the ex-cop...
People chanted, “We have nothing to lose but our chains” and “Black women matter” before the verdict. One woman took out an inhaler and was overheard saying, “My heart is beating out my chest” and another responded, “It feels like the walls are closing in.”Key questions for the jury were whether Dean saw Jefferson’s gun — which she grabbed when she heard a noise in the backyard — and if he was justified as an on-duty police officer to shoot her.
“It’s unnecessary and it makes people uneasy,” Session said. He added that the courthouse is already protected by sheriff’s deputies.Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that Dean did not act in self-defense when he fired the lethal shot that pierced Jefferson’s heart. They said Dean didn’t see Jefferson’s gun or follow proper department procedures when he arrived at the home and investigated what Dean testified he believed might be a burglary.
Prosecutor Ashlea Deener described Dean as a “power-hungry” officer with tunnel vision who had a “preconceived notion” about East Fort Worth as a dangerous neighborhood plagued by crime. She said Fort Worth officers were “ashamed” to have called Dean a “brother in blue.” Gill argued Dean was in danger because he saw Jefferson point a gun at him. Gill called pointing a gun at a police officer an “aggressive, provocative act” that elicited Dean to act in self defense. Gill stressed police work is inherently dangerous.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury resumes deliberations for murder trial of former Fort Worth cop Aaron DeanFORT WORTH --- Jurors resumed deliberations Thursday morning in the murder trial of former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, who shot and killed 28-year-old...
Read more »
Aaron Dean Trial: Jury deliberations enter second day in former Fort Worth officer's murder trialOn Monday, Judge George Gallagher told the jurors there are three options: not guilty, guilty of murder or guilty of manslaughter.
Read more »
Key moments from the murder trial of former Fort Worth cop Aaron Dean ahead of verdictTarrant County jurors are deliberating Wednesday the fate of former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean after lawyers made closing arguments at his murder...
Read more »
Jury to resume deliberations for murder trial of former Fort Worth cop Aaron DeanJurors will resume deliberations Thursday in the murder trial of Former Fort Worth officer Aaron Dean, who shot and killed 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson in...
Read more »
Aaron Dean Trial: Jurors begin deliberating in ex-Fort Worth officer's murder trialA sequestered jury will continue deliberating Thursday for a former Fort Worth police officer's murder trial.
Read more »
Testimony ends in murder trial of ex-Fort Worth cop Aaron Dean, jury gets case WednesdayProsecutors and defense lawyers closed their cases Tuesday in the murder trial of former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, who fatally shot a Black woman...
Read more »