Description: Forth Worth, Texas criminal law lawyer represented Defendant charged with manslaughter.
Aaron Dean, age 38, a former Fort Worth police officer was accused of wrongfully shooting and killing Atatiana Jefferson in her own home.
Dean was dispatched in response to a non-emergency call from a neighbor to investigate a possible burglary because the front door of the home was open in 2019
The door was open because the owner had burned some food while cooking and had opened the door to air out her home.
The officer shot and killed the owner who had a gun in her hand because she was afraid that her home was being burglarized by the officer who did not announce his presence and identify himself.
The killing of Jefferson was condemned by the Chief of Police and the Mayor.
Dean was charged with murder.
PENAL CODE
TITLE 5. OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON
CHAPTER 19. CRIMINAL HOMICIDE
Sec. 19.01. TYPES OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE. (a) A person commits criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence causes the death of an individual.
(b) Criminal homicide is murder, capital murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide.
Sec. 19.04. MANSLAUGHTER. (a) A person commits an offense if he recklessly causes the death of an individual.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.
Outcome: Defendant was found guilt manslaughter. He was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments: Editor's Note: Mr. Dean's attorney filed a motion for new trial claiming that one of the jurors posted a message on a social media site during the trial.
