Ohio judge declares mistrial in former deputy’s murder trial
Ex-Columbus officer Jason Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide for fatally shooting Casey Goodson Jr.; Meade testified that Goodson pointed a gun at him before the shooting
A judge declared a mistrial Friday, February 17th 2024 in the murder trial of former Ohio sheriff’s deputy Jason Meade, concluding tumultuous court proceedings that saw Meade face charges for the 2020 shooting death of Casey Goodson Jr.
The shooting
On December 4, 2020, Jason Meade fatally shot Casey Goodson Jr. six times in Columbus, Ohio. Goodson, a 23-year-old Black man, was shot after Meade, who is white, said he saw Goodson waving a gun at him while driving by.
Meade stated that he pursued Goodson because he feared for his and others’ lives. According to Meade’s testimony, he eventually shot Goodson who turned toward him in the doorway of his grandmother’s home with a gun in his hand.
Goodson’s family disputes Meade’s account. They do not deny Goodson may have had a gun that day, noting he had a license to carry, but assert that Goodson had a sandwich bag in one hand and keys in the other when Meade killed him with five shots hitting Goodson in the back. There is no body camera video documenting the confrontation between Meade and Goodson. Meade was not wearing a body camera at the time.
The trial
Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide for Goodson’s death. Over the course of the trial featuring emotional testimony from witnesses on both sides, four different jurors were dismissed and replaced by alternates causing deliberations to restart multiple times.
Meade took the stand in his own defense, maintaining that he felt threatened by Goodson who he says pointed a gun at him. The prosecution worked to undermine Meade’s credibility, pointing out discrepancies and arguing that the evidence did not support claims of Goodson posing a deadly threat when killed.
In their closing statements, the defense claimed Meade’s testimony aligned with evidence while the prosecution asserted that Meade’s account was simply not plausible.
Aftermath of mistrial
With the jury ultimately unable to reach a unanimous verdict, Judge David Young declared a mistrial on February 17th. This outcome means Meade avoids conviction for now but could face another trial pending the decision of the prosecution after they review the case.
Reactions to the mistrial illustrated the polarized perspectives and high tensions surrounding this case. Goodson’s family attorney Sean Walton acknowledged some jurors clearly saw Meade as “responsible” for the “unjustified killing” while Meade’s defense lawyer Mark Collins expressed gratitude for the jury’s efforts and said they are “ready to go” if a retrial occurs.
The special prosecutors on the case did not comment before leaving court and have not indicated if or when they might retry Meade. They will meet with Judge Young to discuss next steps.
Significance
The trial and lack of conviction have shone a spotlight on ongoing issues of racial injustice and police violence. With no body camera video available, accounts of the shooting and the sequence of events radically diverge.
Amidst polarized perspectives, the justice system was unable to reach a resolution – a reminder of divisions on issues of race and policing that continue to demand attention. The outcome in Columbus reinforces the need for reform and accountability when lives are lost at the hands of law enforcement.
Conclusion
The proceedings revealed heavy emotion and clashing narratives but resulted in a mistrial with no justice or accountability achieved for Casey Goodson Jr.’s family. The fate of Jason Meade remains uncertain pending the prosecution’s review and decision on potentially mounting another trial. For now, the polarized accounts, troubling questions, and deep wounds persist in Ohio.
FAQs
What were the exact charges against Jason Meade? Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide.
What happens next with the case? The prosecution will meet with the judge and review the case. They will then decide whether to prosecute Meade again in a new trial.
Who decides if there is another trial? The special prosecutors assigned to the case will make the determination on seeking a retrial after their review.
Is Jason Meade still a sheriff’s deputy? No. Meade retired from the Sheriff’s office on disability in June 2021.
What sentence would Meade have faced if convicted? Murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. For reckless homicide, the maximum sentence is 3-11 years.
