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Aaron Dean found guilty of manslaughter in killing of Atatiana Jefferson, 28, Internet calls it 'a murder'

A murder charge and a lesser charge of manslaughter were considered by the jury for Aaron Dean, who fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson, 28, in her Texas home in 2019

FORT WORTH, TEXAS: Former police officer Aaron Dean was found guilty of manslaughter three years after the death of Atatiana Jefferson, a 28-year-old Black woman who was fatally shot in her Texas home. According to Texas penal code, manslaughter is a second-degree felony and is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. People are dissatisfied with the sentence as they believe Dean should have been charged with murder.

According to Judge George Gallagher, both a murder charge and a lesser charge of manslaughter were considered during deliberation by the jury. The five days of testimony also included Zion Carr's statement, Jefferson's now 11-year-old nephew. He was in the room with Jefferson at the time she was shot. ABC News reports the jury also heard from Dean's partner that night, Officer Carol Darch, a call center operator, who gave Aaron Dean and Darch the information about Jefferson's home. The deputy medical examiner in Tarrant County, Richard Fries, was also presented in front of the jury. 

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City of Forth Worth's also shared Mayor Mattie Parker's statement on Twitter, "Today's verdict provides a measure of justice, though it does not change the fact that a tragedy occurred that should have never happened. This tragedy for me has always been about Atatiana Jefferson – about her life as a daughter, sister, and aunt, and her lasting legacy. Many people in our community are hurting, and we must come together with compassion and grace. Our prayers are with the jury as they continue their service in the sentencing phase. May God bless Atatiana’s memory and continue to be with her family."

'He should be locked away for murder'

 

Many took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the verdict. One disgruntled user wrote, "all White jury convicted Aaron Dean of manslaughter only, not murder, which is what he did commit. The justice system in America, does not defend Black women's lives. An all White jury, deciding the fate of a White cop, who killed Atatiana Jefferson. Do not expect me to be quiet." Another user said, "This manslaughter conviction, while short of murder, is itself a rare recognition that some wrong was done in taking an innocent Black woman's life. Atatiana Jefferson should still be alive today and true justice would be her living among us. #SayHerName"

One user wrote, "Ex-Texas officer convicted of manslaughter for shooting Atatiana Jefferson https://Unlawful killing is in his blood and spirit, a low life. Joined policing for a kill but it's a murder." Another user tweeted, "Just a reminder Atatiana Jefferson was in her own home, with her nephew playing video games. Her only crime was her door was left ajar. A cop decided a burglary was at place because black people were present and ended a 28 year old citizens life. Its murder."

Another dissatisfied person tweeted, "Cop Aaron Dean killed Atatiana Jefferson in her own home. Guilty of Manslaughter, but he should be locked away for Murder." One more user wrote, "The jury has found former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean guilty of manslaughter in the 2019 death of Atatiana Jefferson inside her mother's home. They could have found him guilty of murder but chose manslaughter instead. #AaronDean #AtatianaJefferson@wfaa"

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