Trial Date Set for Former Fort Worth Police Officer Charged with Murder in Atatiana Jefferson’s Death

Atatiana Jefferson

FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – The trial date has been set for the former Fort Worth police officer accused of fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson during a welfare check call in 2019.

Aaron Dean is charged with murder. The trial is set for January 10th of next year with jury selection beginning January 4th.

His attorneys are expected to file a change of venue due to the high-profile nature of the case.

Investigators said Dean shot 28-year-old Jefferson through a back window of her mother’s home when he and another officer responded to a call about an open front door.

Aaron Dean

Dean resigned from the Fort Worth Police Department within days of the shooting.

Body camera video released by the department showed Dean walking through the side of the house and firing his gun just as he shouted for Jefferson to show her hands.

Dean was not heard on video announcing that he was a police officer.

The case gained national attention during a time when police killings of African Americans were under scrutiny and calls for changes were coming from the public and elected officials.

October 12th was the two-year anniversary of Jefferson’s death.

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