Former Texas Police Officer Charged with Manslaughter

Former Texas police officer Aaron Dean has just been found guilty of the murder of 28 year old Atatiana Jefferson. Dean fatally shot Jefferson through the rear window of her home in 2019, where she was also armed. This is a rare conviction where an officer is charged with manslaughter when the victim was also armed with a gun.

Jurors had debated also issuing a murder charge but ultimately decided against it. Dean, 38, was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, which could have been a life sentence had the murder charge been applied. Dean and another officer arrived at Jefferson’s house after receiving a call that the front door was left open. Dean went to the backyard to investigate what he thought was a possible burglary, only to see Jefferson holding a gun pointed at him from inside the house. Dean sent one shot through the rear of the house, taking down Jefferson. The Tarrant County jury deliberated for 13 hours before determining their verdict.