Defense Attorneys for Former Fort Worth Officer Aaron Dean File Petition for New Trial

Tarrant County, Texas. Former Fort Worth officer Aaron Dean’s defense team filed a new motion for a new trial.

According to court documents, Dean’s attorney, Bob Gill, filed the motion on Tuesday, January 17.

The motion states: “The defendant in this case should be granted a new trial in this case because the verdict is contrary to the law and the evidence.”

Dean was found guilty of the manslaughter of Atatiana Jefferson in October 2019. On December 20, 2022, he was sentenced to 11 years, 10 months and 12 days in prison.

The new motion also comes after Dean’s defense called for an investigation into possible juror misconduct earlier this month.

Dean’s lawyers allege that the alleged juror allegedly made a social media post during the trial in which he “sought opinions and information from non-jury members.”

Court documents show that Tarrant County Judge George Gallagher granted the motion, although it is not clear what emerged from the investigation or whether it began.

In the three years leading up to the murder trial, Dean’s defense attempted to move the trial out of Tarrant County for several reasons, including media attention and city officials’ opinion of Dean.

Dean’s defense also scheduled dozens of requests as part of the appeals process.

Dean is currently incarcerated at WF Ramsey in Rosharon, Texas. He is eligible for parole on November 28, 2028.