The murder trial for a former Ohio deputy accused of murdering Casey Goodson Jr. in 2020 just got underway last week.
Jason Meade is on trial for murder and reckless homicide after fatally shooting 23-year-old Goodson in the back at Goodson’s grandmother’s home.
The shooting occurred after a manhunt for a wanted fugitive on Dec. 4, 2020, in the Columbus area. Meade, a former deputy with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, was working alongside U.S. Marshals in the search.
After authorities wrapped up their search efforts for the day with no arrests, Meade claims he saw Goodson waving a gun erratically from inside his car, according to a 2021 statement from Meade’s lawyers. So, he started tracking him.
Meade followed Goodson to his grandmother’s home and claimed to see him holding a gun in his right hand and a plastic bag in his left as he got out of his car and approached the house. He yelled at Goodson several times to show his hands, but Goodson ignored the commands, the statement said. When Goodson did finally turn to face the officer, Meade’s lawyers say he lifted the gun in his hand, so Meade opened fire.
