Aaron Dean’s lawyers ask for a new trial for Atatiana Jefferson to be released from bail

Lawyer representing Aaron Deanformer Fort Worth police officer convicted of manslaughter in 2019. Atatiana Jeffersonfiled on Wednesday a motion for a new trial and his release from state prison on bail.

Dean, a white police officer, fatally shot and killed a 28-year-old black woman at her home on October 12, 2019, while investigating an open structure call. Dean went out into the backyard and said that when he looked out the window, he saw the silhouette of a man and the barrel of a gun. Dean fired once, mortally wounding the woman on the other side of the glass.

Dean was convicted of Jefferson’s death on December 15, 2022, when a Tarrant County jury dismissed the murder charge. in favor of a lesser charge of manslaughter. Five days later the same jury sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in state prison.

The motion, filed Tuesday night by attorney Bob Gill, asks 396th Circuit Court Judge George Gallagher to grant Dean a new trial “because the verdict is contrary to law and evidence.”

Gill also requested that Dean be “reinstated pending trial”. Dean was released on bail before and during his trial, but was taken into custody after he was convicted.

Earlier this month Gallagher gave Dean’s lawyers access to juror information this will allow them to investigate the panel after they learn that one of them may have posted an online message asking for an opinion on the trial while the trial was still ongoing. The defense said in their motion: “If this social media post is about one of the jurors in this case, and the juror has received the information, the defendant will be eligible for a new trial.” Defense lawyers obtained a copy of a social media post purportedly posted by one of the jurors and offered it for recording before Dean was sentenced.

It’s not immediately clear what Dean’s lawyers learned in their investigation.

Dean’s lawyers also suggested that the unconventional jury verdict in the case could also be the result of misconduct. Prosecutors and family members guessed the verdict may be symbolic about the age of Jefferson’s nephew at the time of her murder, and the month and date of her death.

Dean is currently housed in the Ramsey branch in Rosharonabout 25 miles south of Houston.