FORT WORTH, Texas — The state rested its case Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial of former Fort Worth police Officer Aaron Dean, who fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson in her mother’s home more than three years ago. Court will resume Monday when the defense presents its case to jurors.
Dean, 38, faces up to life in prison if convicted of murder for the shooting, which his defense team called a “tragic accident.” Prosecutors say Dean fired too quickly, could not have seen a gun within the seconds he acted and violated department policies. Dean’s lawyers argue the officer saw a green laser on Jefferson’s gun, which she grabbed after hearing a noise in the backyard.
Jurors also heard from Fort Worth police crime scene officers and a detective who responded to the home in the 1200 block of East Allen Avenue after the shooting. Dean and another officer responded to an open structure call about 2:30 a.m. on Oct. 12, 2019. A concerned neighbor called a nonemergency line after noticing the home’s doors were open and the lights were on, according to testimony this week.
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