Ex-cop found guilty of shooting Atatiana Jefferson in 2019

A former Texas Police officer who fatally shot a black woman Atatiana JeffersonShe was convicted of manslaughter in her home country years after the fatal shooting took place.

Back in October 2019, a white police officer, Aaron DeanShe fatally shot Jefferson, a Black woman, during an open structure call after leaving her front door open.

The jury deliberated for over 13 hours before fighting a white officer guilty of fatally shooting a black woman

The jury deliberated for over 13 hours before finally finding Dean guilty of manslaughter. WFAA reports.

Once convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

“If you can’t feel safe in your own home, where can you feel safe?” prosecutors said during closing arguments. “The power you have today is to hold him accountable, to tell them [Atatiana’s family] that all was not in vain, it is to say that they [Atatiana] matters,” prosecutors told the jury, WFAA reported. “They matter, Eastside matters. To say we protect everyone.”

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Ex-Texas police officer convicted of manslaughter for fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson, a black woman, through a window of her home in 2019. pic.twitter.com/OgLJZRFaEY

— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 15, 2022

The former officer’s lawyer alleges his client acted in self-defense after the victim pointed the gun at him

Bob Gill, Dean’s attorney, attempted to turn the situation around during the closing arguments, claiming he was acting in self-defense and that Jefferson forfeited her rights after she pointed a pistol at him, according to the WFAA.

“A tragedy is not always equal to a crime; it doesn’t always amount to breaking the law,” Dean’s attorney said during the closing statement. “She [Atatiana] pointed a firearm at a Fort Worth police officer … rights end there,” Gill said. “It is a crime and an illegal act.”

Meanwhile, Dean is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Friday, according to Dallas Fort-Worth’s local NBC affiliate.

Dean did not immediately respond to a request for comment, PERSONS reports.

Atatiana’s young nephew takes a stand during the ex-cop’s trial and reminisces about events that led to the fatal shooting

Atatiana’s 11-year-old nephew, Zion, took the stand during Dean’s trial after he was there to witness the fatal shooting. He was only eight years old at the time of the incident.

The boy told jurors that he and his aunt were playing video games at their home when they heard a noise. Zion went on to say that their front door was open because they burned hamburgers and wanted to clear the house of smoke.

The noise prompted Jefferson to get her gun and go to the window. abc news cites Zion as saying. Body cam footage shows Dean telling Jefferson to “put your hands up, show me your hands” before shooting in the window.

A bullet hit Jefferson, killing the 28-year-old.

Official resigned after furlough, GoFundMe raises over $250,000

According to Michael “Britt” London, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, the call that Dean had responded to, known as an “open structure” or “open house call,” differs significantly from a wellness check.

Officers are usually on high alert for these types of calls, with reports ranging from a door accidentally left open to more serious crimes such as burglaries or home burglaries. However, Dean never identified himself as a cop before firing his service pistol, the outlet reports.

Dean resigned after initially being placed on administrative leave and having been with the Fort Worth Police Department since April 2018.

A GoFundMe for Atatiana’s family has already raised $258,374 from a goal of $250,000 from 8,500 donations. Anyone who wants to donate can do so here.