COLUMBUS, Ohio — Opening statements have started in the retrial of a former sheriff’s deputy, Jason Meade, who faces charges of murder and reckless homicide related to the 2020 killing of Casey Goodson Jr., a Black man. Goodson was shot multiple times as he entered his grandmother's house, and the lack of body cameras in the Franklin County Sheriff's Office has fueled community outrage and protests.
This retrial follows an initial trial where jurors could not agree on a verdict, leading to a mistrial in 2024. Meade had testified that he acted in self-defense after claiming Goodson waved a gun at him during a drive-by encounter.
The shooting incident occurred while Meade was part of a U.S. Marshals Service task force but Goodson was not being sought. Prosecutors argue Goodson was unarmed at the time of his death, holding only a sandwich and keys, while Meade's account remains the only one stating Goodson had a firearm. The weapon found at the scene was reportedly on the kitchen floor with the safety on.
The case has reignited discussions about police conduct and community safety, highlighting the ongoing struggles for justice in similar incidents.
This retrial follows an initial trial where jurors could not agree on a verdict, leading to a mistrial in 2024. Meade had testified that he acted in self-defense after claiming Goodson waved a gun at him during a drive-by encounter.
The shooting incident occurred while Meade was part of a U.S. Marshals Service task force but Goodson was not being sought. Prosecutors argue Goodson was unarmed at the time of his death, holding only a sandwich and keys, while Meade's account remains the only one stating Goodson had a firearm. The weapon found at the scene was reportedly on the kitchen floor with the safety on.
The case has reignited discussions about police conduct and community safety, highlighting the ongoing struggles for justice in similar incidents.
