FORT WORTH, Texas — The former Fort Worth officer convicted of manslaughter for the 2019 killing of Atatiana Jefferson was sentenced Tuesday to more than 11 years in prison, marking an end to the long-awaited trial in a case that sent shock waves across Tarrant County and nationwide.
The Tarrant County jury of seven men and five women deliberated Aaron Dean’s punishment for about 13 hours over two days before reaching a decision about 2 p.m. Dean was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison.
The same jurors had found Dean, 38, guilty of manslaughter Thursday after weighing his guilt for about 14 hours over two days, drawing mixed reactions. The jury rejected a murder charge, which could have led to a life sentence.
