A former Franklin County sheriff's deputy, Jason Meade, was found guilty of reckless homicide on Thursday for the December 2020 shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. in Columbus, Ohio. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge of murder, resulting in a mistrial on that count.
Key Details of the Incident
- The Shooting: Meade, who is white, shot Goodson, a 23-year-old Black man, five times in the back and once in the side. The incident occurred on December 4, 2020.
- Conflicting Accounts: Meade claimed he saw Goodson holding a gun and turning toward him. No other witnesses reported seeing a gun in Goodson’s hand, and no video footage recorded the event.
- Prosecution's Argument: Prosecutors argued Goodson was holding a bag of Subway sandwiches and keys, was listening to music through earbuds at the time of the shooting, and that the firearm found under his body had its safety engaged.
- Defense's Argument: Meade’s attorney cited accounts from Meade to argue the shooting was justified. Meade did not testify in this trial.
Trial History and Legal Proceedings
- This was Meade's second trial; the first concluded with a mistrial two years prior.
- Meade is the second white law enforcement officer convicted in the killing of a Black man in Ohio since the death of George Floyd in 2020. The other is Columbus police officer Adam Coy, indicted for murder in the 2020 killing of Andre Hill.
- The reckless homicide charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The murder charge, which was not decided, could have resulted in a life sentence.
- Sentencing is scheduled for July 16.
Reactions and Next Steps
"It provides a sense of closure and peace... but there are also mixed emotions."
— Tamala Payne, Goodson's mother, on the verdict. She indicated she would support a third trial on the murder charge.
- Prosecutors' Statement: Prosecutors stated they are pleased with the reckless homicide conviction and have not yet decided whether to retry the murder charge.
- Fraternal Order of Police Statement: The Fraternal Order of Police expressed disappointment with the verdict and hopes that there will not be a third trial on the murder charge.
- Defense Attorneys: Defense attorneys did not comment following the verdict.