Columbus, Ohio (WSYX) — Former Franklin County Deputy Jason Meade made an appearance in court on Wednesday, where a retrial date was set.
Jury selection is set for Dec. 5 with opening statements likely by Dec. 8.
Meade is charged with murder and reckless homicide in connection with the December 2020 shooting of 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr.
Goodson’s mom, Tamala Payne pointing to how close jury selection is to the anniversary of her son’s death.
“It’s the day after the five year anniversary,” Payne said. “Maybe this will be his Christmas gift, our Christmas gift and we will fully be able to put this behind us and really grieve and heal.”
In February 2024, a jury failed to reach a verdict in Meade’s trial, leading the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office to seek a new trial.
Meade’s attorneys had previously requested a change of venue, arguing for the case to be moved outside of Franklin County. They also sought a continuance pending a Supreme Court decision on the “moment of threat doctrine,” which evaluates use-of-force based solely on the circumstances at the moment an officer takes action. However, the Supreme Court recently rejected that doctrine.
“That case is helpful,” Goodson’s family attorney Sean Walton said. “It helps to reinforce what we have been saying the entire time, that the totality of the circumstances in this case, especially, is important.”
During the initial trial in February 2024, Meade testified that he was serving warrants when he saw Goodson wave a gun, prompting him to pursue Goodson. According to investigators, Meade shot Goodson in the back as he was standing in the doorway of Goodson’s grandmother’s home.
Meade testified that he did not initially intend to shoot Goodson, but he did so after he said Goodson failed to comply with his commands. A gun was found near Goodson’s body, according to court documents.
