Former US police officer gets nearly 12 years for fatal shooting

Ex-officer was convicted of manslaughter for fatally capturing 28-year-old Black lady Atatiana Jefferson in her Texas dwelling.

Former police officer Aaron Dean listens to testimony in the course of the sentencing part of his trial in Texas, December 16, 2022 [Amanda McCoy/Star-Telegram/Pool via AP Photo]

A former police officer within the southern US state of Texas has been sentenced to almost 12 years in jail for fatally capturing  Atatiana Jefferson, a Black lady, by means of the rear window of her dwelling in 2019 after getting into her property unannounced.

On Tuesday, a jury sentenced 38-year-old Aaron Dean to 11 years and 10 months in jail after convicting Dean of manslaughter final Thursday. He had confronted a possible sentence of as much as 20 years in jail.

​​”At present’s responsible verdict is one small step to delivering justice for Atatiana Jefferson and her household,” US Congressman Marc Veasey, who represents a Texas district, mentioned in an announcement following the conviction final week.

“This verdict underscores the essential work that must be executed regionally and nationally to make sure a tragedy like this one doesn't occur once more.”

At present's sentencing of Aaron Dean is one other step in direction of justice and accountability within the homicide of Atatiana Jefferson. We should stay dedicated to enacting commonsense reforms that can stop tragedies like this from persevering with to occur to communities of coloration. https://t.co/UsxhMkizRT

— Rep. Marc Veasey (@RepVeasey) December 20, 2022

Whereas police killings of unarmed folks in the US have drawn vital consideration in recent times and spurred mass protests, the Texas trial led to a uncommon conviction of a police officer for killing somebody who additionally had a gun.

Dean, a police officer within the Texas metropolis of Fort Value on the time of the incident, fatally shot Jefferson, 28, after a neighbour referred to as a non-emergency police line stating that the entrance door to Jefferson’s dwelling was open.

Jefferson had been enjoying video video games along with her eight-year-old nephew and had opened the door to let loose smoke from cooking a hamburger.

The trial revolved round whether or not Dean knew that Jefferson was armed.

Jefferson had pulled a gun out of her purse and aimed in direction of the bed room window after listening to noises. Dean and fellow officer Carol Darch didn't determine themselves once they arrived on the dwelling and Dean, suspecting a housebreaking, moved into the fenced-off again yard along with his gun drawn.

Physique digital camera footage reveals him yelling at Jefferson, who's inside, to indicate her fingers, then capturing her a split-second later.

Dean claimed that he had seen Jefferson’s weapon, however prosecutors maintained that proof confirmed in any other case.

Darch’s again was to the window when Dean shot, however she testified that he by no means talked about seeing a gun earlier than he pulled the set off and didn't say something in regards to the weapon as they rushed in to look the home.

Dean testified that he had no alternative however to shoot Jefferson as a result of she was pointing a gun at him, however acknowledged quite a few missteps and “unhealthy police work” earlier than the court docket. He additionally acknowledged that he had not talked about the gun and that he by no means gave Jefferson first help.

 

The Forth Value Police Division, the place Dean was employed, shortly launched footage of the capturing and arrested Dean following an outpouring of public anger.

Deadly police shootings stay a persistent and contentious situation within the US, prompting protests and ongoing requires severe reforms to policing.

The police killing of George Floyd within the metropolis of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2020 set off demonstrations world wide demanding an finish to police violence and racism.

Former officer Derek Chauvin, who saved his knee on Floyd’s neck for greater than 9 minutes in the course of the deadly incident, was sentenced to greater than 22 years in jail final yr after being convicted of killing the unarmed 46-year-old.

The opposite officers concerned in Floyd’s demise even have obtained jail sentences of various lengths for violating Floyd’s civil rights.

The deadly capturing of Jefferson occurred seven months earlier than Floyd was killed.