New developments have surfaced for the upcoming trial of Aaron Dean. On Tuesday, December 7, two new motions were filed regarding the trial’s start date, and whether the trial itself should be relocated from Tarrant County, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.
Dean is accused of shooting and killing Atatiana Jefferson through a back window of her home while responding to a call about an open front door in October 2019.
“Since the date of the alleged offense and because of the considerable discussion in the community, there exists in said (Tarrant) County so great prejudice against Mr. Dean that he cannot receive a fair and impartial trial in Tarrant County,” Dean’s attorneys stated in the first motion.
The prosecution argued that media coverage and community involvement are not intrusive with affidavits from two attorneys, who said they’ve practiced in the area for four decades, and from a local pastor, who said he’s resided in Tarrant County for over 30 years.
The second motion is requesting that the trial be delayed because two expert witnesses who are important to the case can’t attend in January.
“Both essential expert witnesses have previously scheduled commitments that will prevent them from being available in Tarrant County during the trial time scheduled by the Court,” Dean’s attorneys stated in the second motion. “Essential expert witness Dr. Aaron Pierce of Waco, Texas, is obligated to be in other Texas counties throughout January and is obligated by previously scheduled client meetings and Ph.D. candidate examinations. Essential expert Grant Fredericks of Spokane, Washington, has previously scheduled trials and forensics classes obligating him throughout the month of January in the states of Washington and California.”
Atatiana Jefferson, 28, was playing video games in the home with her 8-year-old nephew when she heard someone in the backyard, Dean’s arrest warrant stated. She proceeded to look out the window as she grabbed a gun from her purse. As the bodycam footage shows, Dean did not identify himself as an officer and fatally shot Jefferson.
Currently, the trial is set to start on January 10, and a hearing is set for 9 am on Monday to consider the motions.