Killing of Atatiana Jefferson explained

Killing of Atatiana Jefferson
Partof:police brutality in the United States
Location:Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Time: 2:30 a.m. (CDT)
Type:Homicide by shooting, police brutality, manslaughter

Child:yes
Filmed By:Police body-worn camera
Weapon:Handgun
Perp:Aaron Dean
Victim:Atatiana Koquice Jefferson, aged 28
Verdict:Guilty on the lesser included offense of manslaughter
Convictions:Manslaughter
Charges:Murder

Child:yes
Sentence:11 years, 10 months, and 12 days in prison

Atatiana Koquice Jefferson, a 28-year-old woman, was fatally shot inside her home by a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, in the early morning of October 12, 2019.[1] [2] Police arrived at her home after a neighbor called a non-emergency number, stating that Jefferson's front door was open. Police body camera footage showed officers walking outside the home with flashlights for a few minutes then one officer yells, "Put your hands up! Show me your hands!", while discharging his weapon through a window. Police found a handgun near Jefferson's body, which according to her eight-year-old nephew, she was pointing toward the window before being shot.[3] [4] On October 14, 2019, Officer Aaron Dean, the shooter, resigned from the Fort Worth Police Department and was arrested on a murder charge.[5] [6] On December 20, 2019, Dean was indicted for murder. Jefferson was black and the officer who shot her is white, prompting news outlets to compare Jefferson's shooting to the September 2018 murder of Botham Jean in nearby Dallas.[7] [8] [9]

On December 15, 2022, Dean was found guilty on the lesser offense of manslaughter.[10] He was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months, and 12 days of imprisonment,[11] an apparent reference by the jury to the month and day of the incident. [12]

People involved

Atatiana Jefferson

Atatiana Koquice Jefferson (November 28, 1990 – October 12, 2019) was a 28-year-old African American woman and pre-medical graduate student of Xavier University of Louisiana from where she graduated in 2014.[13] Relatives said she worked in human resources. She lived in the house to care for her mother and nephew and began living with them in May 2019.

Aaron Dean

On October 14, 2019, Interim Police Chief Ed Kraus identified Officer Aaron Dean as the shooter. Dean was commissioned as an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department in April 2018 after completing the Fort Worth Police Academy a month prior in March 2018. At the time of the shooting, Dean had been with the department for approximately 18 months. Prior to the shooting, the only substantial entry in his Fort Worth police personnel file was about a traffic collision.[14]

In 2004, Dean received a citation from the Arlington Police Department in his hometown of Arlington, Texas for assault by contact, a class C misdemeanor, while at the University of Texas at Arlington for touching a woman's breast in the campus library. The incident was discussed during his videotaped job interview with the Fort Worth Police. He pled no contest and paid a fine. According to the Fort Worth Police Department, a Class C misdemeanor would not prevent employment with their department as a police officer.[15]

Dean's training records from his first year on the job note concerns from supervisors. These concerns included that he had "tunnel vision" and "needs improvement on communicating with the public and fellow officers." Dean's most recent performance evaluation was made in the spring of 2019, where he received high marks from a supervisor.[16] [17]

Killing

Welfare call

It has been reported that just prior to 2:30 a.m on the morning of October 12, 2019, police received a "welfare call" from the neighborhood of Hillside Morningside, noting that the front door to someone's home was open. According to Jefferson's family, prior to police arriving at her home, she was playing video games in her home with her nephew.

Open structure

During the trial it was established that, rather than responding to a "welfare call" as previously reported, the officers were dispatched to an "Open Structure" call, which usually relates to a potential burglary. The police policy for these two calls is very different.[18]

Body camera footage

Body camera footage[19] released by the Fort Worth Police Department shows that two officers had walked quietly around the side of the home.[20] Dean had walked into Jefferson's backyard.[21] Seeing Jefferson in the window of her home, the officer yelled "put your hands up! Show me your hands!" and then fired a single shot through Jefferson's window.

Describing the video, the BBC wrote that Dean fired "within seconds" of seeing Jefferson. The BBC wrote that the footage does not appear to show police identifying themselves or whether she was armed. The footage also does not reveal if Dean could see the gun that Jefferson held, as the view through the window was obstructed by the reflection from his flashlight. The officer partnered with Dean told authorities that she could only see Jefferson's face through the window.[22]

Nephew's account

Jefferson's eight-year-old nephew told the authorities that while playing video games they heard noises outside the window. The nephew testified that Jefferson took her gun from her purse, walked to the window holding it at her side while looking out the window, before she was shot. The nephew's account was used as the basis for the arrest warrant. Interim Chief Kraus stated that it, "makes sense that she would have a gun if she felt that she was being threatened or there was someone in the backyard." According to the Jefferson family attorney Lee Merritt, the firearm was lawfully owned and Jefferson had a concealed carry license. The nephew testified that the front door was open because they were making hamburgers and they had burned, so the doors were open to let the smoke out.[23]

Death

Jefferson was killed by the shot and pronounced dead at the scene at 3:05 am. Police officers stated that they attempted to provide emergency medical care to Jefferson but were unsuccessful.

Investigation, arrest and indictment

Police officials stated that the officer fired after perceiving a threat. Fort Worth Police Chief Ed Kraus stated that Dean resigned before he could be fired for what Kraus said included violating departmental policies on use of force, de-escalation, and unprofessional conduct.[14] Had Dean not voluntarily resigned and been fired instead, his separation paperwork would have been sent to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement and would have reflected that he had been dishonorably discharged from the department.[24]

Manny Ramirez, the president of the Fort Worth Police Officers Association, said Dean had never been the subject of a police investigation. Kraus said Dean refused to cooperate with investigators and had not allowed Kraus to question him. Dean had not given an oral or written statement to investigators. Ramirez said he and other officers with knowledge of the situation were dumbfounded as to why Dean would have fired his weapon in this situation. Ramirez also said there was no way to explain Dean's actions.[25] [26] [27]

Based on footage from Dean's body camera which captured the shooting, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested at his attorney's office on October 14, 2019, and charged with murder.[28] He was given a $200,000 bond, which he posted, and was released about three hours later. Kraus said that Dean had not provided a written statement or answered questions.

On October 25, 2019, Tarrant County District Attorney Sharen Wilson said evidence would also be presented to a grand jury for a formal indictment. Dean is the only officer to face a murder charge in Tarrant County for a shooting committed while on duty.[29] He was indicted by a grand jury on a murder charge on December 20, 2019[30] [31] and was found guilty of manslaughter on December 15, 2022.[32] Four days later, on December 19, 2022, Dean was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months, and 12 days in prison for the killing, and was confined at the Lon Evans Corrections Center in Fort Worth.[33]

Trial

In October 2020, Tarrant County judge David Hagerman set a tentative date of August 2021 for Dean's trial.[34] After being initially delayed due to a backlog in the courts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial was rescheduled in November 2021 to begin on January 10, 2022.[35]

In December 2021, the trial was delayed again, to May 2022, due to two defense witnesses being unavailable in January.[36] At that time, Dean's defense attorneys filed a motion for a change of venue, claiming that local media coverage had made it impossible for their client to receive a fair and impartial trial in Tarrant County.[37]

On May 4, 2022, Judge Hagerman denied the defense's change of venue motion but granted another postponement, this one due to health issues being experienced by Dean's lead attorney. The new trial date was set for June 23.[38]

On May 16, Dean's attorneys filed a motion asking Judge Hagerman for yet another delay, as they claimed to have higher priority cases in May and June and "cannot be ready" by June 23 because of the preparation time required to meet their caseload.[39]

During a hearing on June 3, Dean's attorneys claimed their own personal vacation plans should be considered for a further delay of the trial,[40] but Hagerman denied their request and confirmed that the trial would begin on June 23.[41] On June 9, Dean's attorneys filed a motion asking for Judge Hagerman to be replaced, claiming that he had "grown increasingly hostile, overbearing and rude" to them.[42] On June 13, Tarrant County judge George Gallagher agreed to yet another delay in the trial pending the result of a hearing on the defense's recusal motion.[43] On June 28, judge Lee Gabriel approved the defense's recusal motion, removing Hagerman from presiding over the trial.[44] After Hagerman's recusal, the trial was assigned to Judge Gallagher and delayed again.[45]

On August 18, 2022, a new trial date of December 5 was set, with jury selection slated to begin on November 28.[46]

In November, Dean's attorneys filed another change of venue motion, claiming that their client could not get a fair trial in Tarrant County because former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price and former police chief Ed Kraus had made public comments about the killing of Jefferson in the days after the shooting.[47] The second change of venue motion was denied and the trial began on December 5, 2022.[48]

On December 15, 2022, Dean was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the lesser included offense of manslaughter.[10] On December 20, he was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months, and 12 days of imprisonment.[11]

Dean is currently imprisoned in the Ramsey Unit in Rosharon, Texas.[49] [50]

Reactions

Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price called the event "tragic" and promised a "complete and thorough investigation" by police chief Ed Kraus. CBS News reported that the investigation would then be forwarded to the Law Enforcement Incident Team for the Tarrant County District Attorney.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called Jefferson's death unacceptable. The neighbor who called for the welfare check told reporters that he never intended for an aggressive law enforcement response. He stated: "No domestic violence, no arguing. Nothing that they should have been concerned with, as far as them coming with guns drawn to my neighbor's house. There wasn't any reason for a gun shot that I know of."[51]

Jefferson's funeral was paid for by two professional athletes, former Dallas Mavericks player Harrison Barnes and Philadelphia Eagles player Malik Jackson. A GoFundMe was also created by the family lawyer on behalf of the family.[52]

The case has been cited as a cause of loss of trust in law enforcement. During a press conference in the days following the shooting, Kraus became emotional as he compared the erosion of public trust to ants working to build an anthill, when "somebody comes with a hose and washes it away and they just have to start from scratch."[53]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Fort Worth police officer fatally shoots woman in her own home . 13 October 2019 . CBS News . 12 October 2019.
  2. News: Chavez . Nicole . Silverman . Hollie . A woman was shot and killed by a Fort Worth police officer in her own home . 13 October 2019 . CNN . 13 October 2019.
  3. Web site: Atatiana Jefferson pointed gun at window before Fort Worth officer killed her, nephew told authorities. Branham. Dana. Emily. Jennifer. 2019-10-15. Dallas News. en. 2019-10-18.
  4. News: Black woman shot dead by Texas police through bedroom window . 13 October 2019 . BBC . 13 October 2019.
  5. Web site: Fort Worth, Texas, police officer who fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson resigns. NBC News. en. 2019-10-14.
  6. Web site: Murder charge follows resignation of Fort Worth officer who shot woman in her home. October 14, 2019. Fort Worth Star Telegram. October 15, 2019.
  7. News: Former Fort Worth police officer charged with murder for killing Atatiana Jefferson in her own home . Yan . Holly . 14 October 2019 . CNN . 15 October 2019 . Vera . Amir . Jones . Sheena.
  8. News: Fort Worth officer who fatally shot woman in her home has been charged with murder, police say . Hawkins . Derek . 14 October 2019 . Washington Post . 15 October 2019 . Paul . Deanna.
  9. News: Fort Worth Officer Kills Woman In Her Bedroom In Response To 'Open Structure Call'. Allyn. Bobby. 13 October 2019. NPR. 15 October 2019.
  10. Web site: Sanchez . Bill Kirkos,Ray . 2022-12-15 . Former Texas police officer found guilty of manslaughter for the shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson at her home . 2022-12-15 . CNN . en.
  11. Russon . Cathy . cathyrusson . 1605293840163696641 . December 20, 2022 . BREAKING: Jury recommends 11 years, 10 months, 12 days in TX v #AaronDean. #AtatianaJefferson . en . December 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221085328/https://twitter.com/cathyrusson/status/1605293840163696641 . December 21, 2022 . live.
  12. News: Miranda . Suarez . Former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean asks state's highest criminal court to review his case . 6 July 2024 . KERA News . 30 April 2024 . en.
  13. Web site: October 13, 2019 . Woman fatally shot in her own home by Fort Worth officer was Xavier grad . 2023-09-14 . wwltv.com . en-US.
  14. News: Manna . Nichole . October 15, 2019 . Police shooting of Atatiana Jefferson: What we know, what we don't know . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . November 3, 2019 .
  15. News: Blakey . Katy . November 4, 2019 . Job Interview Sheds Light On Former Officer's Assault Charge . NBC Dallas Fort Worth . November 4, 2019 .
  16. News: Friedman . Scott . Douglas . jack . November 1, 2019 . Job Interview Video Sheds Light on Police Officer Who Killed Atatiana Jefferson . NBC Dallas Fort Worth . November 3, 2019 .
  17. News: Riley . Parker . November 2, 2019 . Disturbing Job Interview Video Released Of Former Cop Who Killed Atatiana Jefferson . NewsOne . November 3, 2019 .
  18. Web site: Chavez . Nicole . The Fort Worth officer who shot Atatiana Jefferson wasn't actually asked to do a wellness check . CNN.com . October 17, 2019 . 7 January 2024.
  19. Web site: Former Fort Worth police officer charged with murder for killing Atatiana Jefferson in her own home. Holly Yan, Amir Vera and Sheena Jones. CNN. October 14, 2019.
  20. News: Hawkins . Derek . Fort Worth police officer fatally shoots woman in her home while checking on an open front door . 13 October 2019 . The Washington Post . 13 October 2019.
  21. News: Who was Atatiana Jefferson? Woman killed by Fort Worth police officer in her home. Alvarez. Eric. 12 October 2019. 13 October 2019. WFAA.
  22. Web site: Fort Worth police chief: 'No excuse' for Aaron Dean to shoot Atatiana Jefferson in her home. Bacon. John. Jervis. Rick. USA TODAY. en. 2019-10-18.
  23. Web site: 2022-12-20 . Former officer who killed Atatiana Jefferson sentenced to nearly 12 years . 2023-01-26 . PBS NewsHour . en-us.
  24. Web site: Officer who fatally shot woman in her home arrested on murder charges. Hutchinson. Bill. Moore. Marcus. October 15, 2019. ABC News. en. 2019-10-19.
  25. News: . What We Know About the Fort Worth Police Shooting of Atatiana Jefferson . The New York Times . October 24, 2019 . November 3, 2019 .
  26. News: Feuerherd . Ben . October 14, 2019 . Fort Worth cop Aaron Dean charged with murder in shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson . New York Post . November 3, 2019 .
  27. News: Hawkins . Derek . Deanna . Paul . October 14, 2019 . Fort Worth officer who fatally shot woman in her home has been charged with murder, police say . The Washington Post . November 3, 2019 .
  28. Web site: Fort Worth officer jailed on murder charge after fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson. October 14, 2019. The Dallas Morning News. October 15, 2019.
  29. News: Connelly . Christopher . October 25, 2019 . Grand Jury Will Decide If Case Of Ex-Cop Who Killed Atatiana Jefferson Goes Forward . Houston Public Media . November 4, 2019 .
  30. News: Former Fort Worth officer indicted in Atatiana Jefferson's shooting death . Alonso . Melissa . December 20, 2019 . CNN . December 21, 2019 . Maxouris . Christina.
  31. News: Former Texas police officer indicted for murder in Atatiana Jefferson's death . December 20, 2019 . CBS News . December 21, 2019.
  32. Web site: Alfonseca . Kiara . 2022-12-15 . Police officer Aaron Dean found guilty of manslaughter in the killing of Atatiana Jefferson . 2022-12-15 . ABC News . en.
  33. Web site: 2022-12-19. Aaron Dean sentenced to 11 years, 10 months, and 12 days behind bars after pleading guilty four days prior. 2022-12-19. WFAA. en. December 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221220204428/https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/live_breaking/aaron-dean-trial-live-sentencing-deliberations-continue/287-299d749a-59e4-4f57-ad3c-5ddf6cc384c7. dead.
  34. News: Trial Date Set for Former Fort Worth Officer Accused in Atatiana Jefferson's Murder . October 28, 2020 . NBC DFW . January 12, 2021.
  35. Web site: Trial for Fort Worth Officer Who Shot Atatiana Jefferson Set for January. 2021-12-12. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. November 16, 2021 . en-US.
  36. Web site: Aaron Dean Murder Trial Delayed Until May . 2022-01-05. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. December 15, 2021 . en-US.
  37. Web site: Former Fort Worth Officer Charged in Atatiana Jefferson Shooting Asks for Change of Venue . 2022-01-05. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. December 2021 . en-US.
  38. Web site: Aaron Dean Trial Postponed, Change of Venue Denied . 2022-05-04. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. May 2, 2022 . en-US.
  39. Web site: Aaron Dean attorneys ask for another delay in trial over death of Atatiana Jefferson . 2022-05-18. WFAA Dallas. May 18, 2022 . en-US.
  40. Web site: Murder trial against Aaron Dean to proceed as scheduled after judge denies latest delay request . 2022-06-04. WFAA Dallas. June 3, 2022 . en-US.
  41. Web site: Judge confirms trial for Aaron Dean murder case starts this month . 2022-06-04. CBS DFW. June 3, 2022 . en-US.
  42. Web site: Ex-Fort Worth Cop Accused of Murdering Atatiana Jefferson Seeks New Judge, Trial Delay . 2022-06-13. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. June 13, 2022 . en-US.
  43. Web site: Hearing scheduled on defense motion to recuse judge in Atatiana Jefferson killing . 2022-06-16. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. en-US.
  44. Web site: Judge Removed in Aaron Dean, Atatiana Jefferson Murder Case . 2022-06-28. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. June 28, 2022 . en-US.
  45. Web site: Removal of judge in ex-Fort Worth officer's murder case expected to delay trial for months . 2022-06-28. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. en-US.
  46. Web site: Aaron Dean trial set to begin on Dec. 5 . 2022-08-18. Fox 4 News. August 18, 2022 . en-US.
  47. Web site: 'Influential People, Positions' Impact Chance for Fair Trial, Argue Defense Attorneys for Aaron Dean . 2022-11-17. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. November 17, 2022 . en-US.
  48. Web site: Day 1: Aaron Dean Murder Trial in 2019 Shooting Death of Atatiana Jefferson . 2022-12-05. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. December 5, 2022 . en-US.
  49. Web site: Aaron Dean serving sentence at state prison in Southeast Texas . December 28, 2022 .
  50. Web site: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Search. September 25, 2023.
  51. Web site: Fort Worth Officer Kills Woman In Her Bedroom In Response To 'Open Structure Call'. Allyn. Bobby. October 13, 2019. NPR.org. en. 2019-10-13.
  52. Web site: Ex-Dallas Mavericks player Harrison Barnes helps pay for Atatiana Jefferson's funeral. Steele. Tom. 2019-10-17. Dallas News. en. 2019-10-18.
  53. Web site: Atatiana Jefferson pointed gun at window before Fort Worth officer killed her, nephew told authorities. October 15, 2019. Dallas News.