Former Deputy Found Guilty of Reckless Homicide in Ohio

A former sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of reckless homicide in the shooting of Casey Goodson Jr., a Black man, in December 2020. Casey Goodson Jr. was bringing sandwiches to his grandmother’s house when he was killed. Jason Meade, the officer involved, claimed the shooting was justified because he believed Goodson was holding a gun and turning towards him. However, no witnesses corroborated Meade’s account, and no cameras captured the event.

The jury could not come to a consensus on a more serious charge of murder, leading to a mistrial on that count. This trial was Meade’s second for the murder charge after a previous mistrial. He is one of two White officers in Ohio convicted in connection with the killing of a Black person since the national protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020.

Goodson’s mother, Tamala Payne, expressed mixed emotions but felt the verdict offered some closure. She shared with CBS News that her son was “murdered in cold blood.” During the trial’s opening statements, she was visibly emotional, covering her ears. Speaking to CBS affiliate WBNS, she described feeling a sense of satisfaction with Meade’s conviction.

At the first trial, Meade testified that Goodson had waved a gun at him. Goodson’s family and prosecutors contested this, describing him as holding a bag of Subway sandwiches and listening to music when he was shot. Prosecutors further argued that Goodson’s gun was holstered under his belt, found under him with the safety still engaged as he lay on the floor.

Meade, who retired in 2021 and is a Baptist pastor, did not testify at his second trial. He had provided oral and written accounts defending the shooting as justified. Ohio law distinguishes murder, which is purposeful, from reckless homicide, which involves reckless behavior. The murder charge carries a potential life sentence. Reckless homicide could result in up to five years in prison. Sentencing is set for July 16.

Prosecutors haven’t decided on a third murder trial. Sean Walton, the Goodson family’s attorney, noted that in both trials, a majority of jurors leaned towards a murder conviction. Police official Brian Steel expressed disappointment with the verdict and cautioned against pursuing another trial, citing the drawn-out process’s toll on families and the community.

Witness Christopher Corne, who was nearby during the incident, testified that Goodson appeared to sing and dance in his truck before the shooting. He did not observe a gun. Columbus police Officer Samuel Rippey testified about seeing Goodson’s gun on the floor with an extended magazine while providing emergency aid.

Goodson’s death fueled public outrage in Ohio and strengthened demands for police reform. Banners were displayed in Columbus calling for justice and urging Meade’s conviction, but were removed by court order during the trial. Prior Ohio cases against officers for similar incidents resulted in only one conviction, that of Columbus officer Adam Coy following Andre Hill’s 2020 death.