Jason Meade trial for fatal 2020 police shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. begins this week
The high-profile trial of a former sheriff's office deputy accused of shooting a Black man walking into his grandmother's home more than three years ago begins this week in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
Former Franklin County sheriff's deputy Michael Jason Meade, who primarily goes by his middle name, faces murder and reckless homicide charges in the December 4, 2020 death of Casey Goodson Jr.
Meade, working as part of a task force, fatally shot the 23-year-old Goodson at a home on the 3900 block of Estates Place on the city's Northeast Side. Meade has said, through his attorney, that Goodson flashed a gun at him while driving, and Meade followed him back to a home. Goodson didn't heed verbal commands from Meade to show his hands or drop his weapon, Meade's attorneys have said.
Listen:Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade gives religious sermon in 2018
Goodson's family has said he was carrying sandwiches while returning home from a dentist's appointment and had earbuds in at the time. Meade shot him six times, with five of the bullets striking him in his back.
Meade has since retired from the sheriff's office.
There were no eyewitnesses to the shooting and there the sheriff's office did not have body-worn cameras at the time, so there is no footage of the incident.
The trial is expected to take about two weeks. The Dispatch will provide updates throughout the trial.
Jury will get asked thoughts on Black Lives Matter, social justice
A special pool of more than 100 jurors will undergo questioning from attorneys in the case beginning Monday morning. These potential jurors, who were randomly selected from registered voters in Franklin County, filled out questionnaires on Thursday asking them questions about a variety of issues that may become relevant to the case.
The 99-question juror questionnaire, obtained by The Dispatch, included simple demographic questions like about age and gender, as well as questions about political leaning and how much jurors already know about the case from the news.
Questions include:
This case has received pre-trial publicity. Have you watched, read, or heard any accounts of this case?
From what you have seen, read, or heard, do you have a general impression of Jason Meade?
There are a number of social justice groups like "Black Lives Matter" and Justice, Unity and Social Transformation (JUST). Are you familiar with any of these types of groups?
Have you attended, participated, or counter-protested at any rallies or events put on by any such groups (social justice groups)?
What are your feelings about "Blue Lives Matter" and other support groups for officers involved in shootings of civilians?
How long does jury selection take?
The jury selection process could last until Tuesday. Special prosecutors Gary Shroyer, Tim Merkle and Montgomery County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Josh Shaw and Meade's attorneys Mark Collins, Kaitlyn Stephens and Steven Nolder will question the jurors to determine who each side feels is the best to decide the case.
Jurors are being brought into the courtroom individually on Monday to answer follow-up questions based on their questionnaires. Judge David Young is dismissing individuals for cause if they are biased or otherwise unsuitable.
After questioning the larger jury pool in a process called voir dire, a final group of 12 jurors will be selected, with at least two alternates. Given the high-profile nature of the case and the time that has passed since the shooting, more alternates could be selected to avoid running out of jurors due to illness or unforeseen circumstances.
Will Jason Meade testify in his defense?
The jury will decide whether Meade's actions on Dec. 4, 2020, were reasonable or unreasonable. Jurors in cases involving police force are asked to review the incident without using hindsight, looking at only what the law enforcement personnel knew at the moment the force, in this case Goodson's shooting, took place.
Experts in police use-of-force will testify for both the prosecution and the defense.
Meade may also testify on his own behalf for the jury. If he does, the prosecution may be able to introduce video of Meade, who is also a Baptist pastor, speaking about there being a justification in throwing the first proverbial punch, as well as other comments about using force.
Meade's attorneys sought to exclude the recording from evidence, but Judge David Young, who is presiding over the case, said if Meade testifies, the tape could potentially be used on cross-examination.
More: Deputy who killed Casey Goodson has used faith to justify use of force before
Prior instances where Meade used force, including several where he received discipline, are not going to be introduced as evidence by the prosecution team during their main case, according to documents filed in the case. However, depending on how testimony in the case proceeds, Merkle and Shroyer could seek to admit those instances in as evidence as rebuttal following the defense's arguments.
Who is Casey Goodson Jr? Get caught up with the case
Here are some of The Dispatch's prior stories on the case.
What to know: Ex-deputy Jason Meade's murder trial is starting. Here's what to know about 2020 shooting
Shooting occurred in December 2020: What we know about the fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. by a Franklin County deputy
The Go-Tos: Who is the lawyer for Columbus-area cops in trouble? Collins has been go-to for decades
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jason Meade trial for police shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. underway
