GUILTY TX - Atatiana Jefferson, 28, fatally shot at home, Fort Worth, Oct 2019 *officer charged* #2

[Gardenista]

Had she shot him, she'd more than likely be in jail right now. She did not know he was a police officer. Since he didn't ID himself she knew him as a trespasser. End of. The responsibility for this terrible sequence of events lies with Dean and only Dean. If it is true that this is police "general protocol", then whoever came up with this horse#%^ general protocol is at fault as well.
ETA - also, the fact that he was responding to a burglary when it was a welfare check? That person is at fault as well. I am predicting a hung jury based on our seeing this 180 degrees differently from each other, being both very reasonable people. This is such a sad case.

Dispatch did not give it to Dean as a welfare check. They gave it to him as an open structure which LE is to treat as a silent alarm.

 

[Weki]

I understand it’s infuriating that this happened. But he’s not criminally culpable. I’m sure they will sue the city and the city will settle for millions of dollars. But to say that this was murder or somehow he was reckless is completely unfounded. It was two shooters pointing the gun at each other thinking the other was a burglar. At that point it’s kill or be killed. Both are justified in shooting. He shot first.

 

[Chelly]

Judge is giving instructions to jury now.

 

[Chelly]

I understand it’s infuriating that this happened. But he’s not criminally culpable. I’m sure they will sue the city and the city will settle for millions of dollars. But to say that this was murder or somehow he was reckless is completely unfounded. It was two shooters pointing the gun at each other thinking the other was a burglar. At that point it’s kill or be killed. Both are justified in shooting. He shot first.

I believe you've made an excellent argument for a finding of self defense.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

I understand it’s infuriating that this happened. But he’s not criminally culpable. I’m sure they will sue the city and the city will settle for millions of dollars. But to say that this was murder or somehow he was reckless is completely unfounded. It was two shooters pointing the gun at each other thinking the other was a burglar. At that point it’s kill or be killed. Both are justified in shooting. He shot first.

In Texas, you can legally use lethal force in self-defense. But what you cannot do, is create the situation which leads to you needing to use that lethal force. That is exactly what Dean did. He may have received wrong information from the dispatcher about the nature of the call, but from that point, the multiple poor decisions he made led to him being in a situation where the completely innocent homeowner was holding a gun in their window and him feeling he needed to use lethal force. He is culpable IMO.

 

[Chelly]

In Texas, you can legally use lethal force in self-defense. But what you cannot do, is create the situation which leads to you needing to use that lethal force. That is exactly what Dean did. He may have received wrong information from the dispatcher about the nature of the call, but from that point, the multiple poor decisions he made led to him being in a situation where the completely innocent homeowner was holding a gun in their window and him feeling he needed to use lethal force. He is culpable IMO.

Yes, he was responding to an "open door" call, silent alarm.

It was Dean's testimony on the stand that convinced me that he is at least guilty of manslaughter. He admitted to a lot of bad policing. He clearly wasn't capable of making reasonable life and death decisions. I respect the argument of self defense, and admit this is a very sad case, but Dean should never have been on a police force. imo.
ETA: According to prosecutor in closing argument: You cannot create the danger, then claim self defense.

 

[SeesSeas]

https://twitter.com/MirandaRSuarez
@MirandaRSuarez
38m
Jefferson had the right of self defense in her own home until she pointed a gun at a Fort Worth police officer, Gill said.

https://twitter.com/MirandaRSuarez
@MirandaRSuarez
39m
“This whole thing is a tragedy. I’m not gonna stand up in front of you and say it’s not, because it is,” Gill says. But tragedy does not equal a crime, he adds.

 

[Chelly]

Closing statements over. Case has gone to jury. Verdict watch.
*Not guilty
*Guilty
*Manslaughter

 

[SeesSeas]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1603076638559899649

 

[Weki]

My prediction: Verdict by end of day. Not guilty on all counts.

 

[Gardenista]

I hate this case. I'm just glad I'm not on the jury.

 

[Chelly]

My prediction: Verdict by end of day. Not guilty on all counts.

My prediction: Manslaughter.

 

[Chelly]

I hate this case. I'm just glad I'm not on the jury.

Agree. If I was a juror in this trial, my wavering between manslaughter and not guilty would be a problem in the jury room.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

My prediction: Manslaughter.

I don't personally see how it could be manslaughter since Dean said he intended to shoot the victim. By definition in Texas that is murder, not manslaughter.

 

[Chelly]

I don't personally see how it could be manslaughter since Dean said he intended to shoot the victim. By definition in Texas that is murder, not manslaughter.

I watched the trial and don't recall Dean ever saying he "intended to shoot the victim". I remember he claimed he saw a gun in the hand of the silhouette in window and fired his weapon in self defense. We can believe or not believe what he said. I think when he arrived at the scene, he did not intend to shoot the victim. However, he acted recklessly and caused her death. Thus I would vote manslaughter. Just my opinion, which I intend not to debate.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Jury starts deliberation in Texas officer’s murder trial

A jury began deliberations Wednesday in the murder case against a former Texas police officer charged with fatally shooting a Black woman through a rear window of her home in 2019. The jury took up…

thehill.com

 

[CrimeDawg123]

I watched the trial and don't recall Dean ever saying he "intended to shoot the victim". I remember he claimed he saw a gun in the hand of the silhouette in window and fired his weapon in self defense. We can believe or not believe what he said. I think when he arrived at the scene, he did not intend to shoot the victim. However, he acted recklessly and caused her death. Thus I would vote manslaughter. Just my opinion, which I intend not to debate.

Understood and I totally respect your opinion. He said it during cross - he was asked that question. We'll see what the jury decides!

 

[Chelly]

Atatiana Jefferson death: Jury begins deliberations in murder trial

Closing arguments began Wednesday in the murder trial of former police officer Aaron Dean for the fatal shooting of Atatiana Jefferson.

abcnews.go.com

 

[Chelly]

Jason Allen
@CBS11JasonAllen
24m

Jury is coming up on 3 hrs since starting deliberations. They've asked to see some evidence photos, and some post-it notes to use

 

[SeesSeas]

Judge indicated he'll let the jury keep working till midnight if they want (or till they decide to stop) (@wfaa)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1603115255508312070