Defense Attorney Jim Lane, 78, died a day before jury selection for the trial of his client, former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean.
The prominent attorney is believed to have died of natural causes. He had experienced several health issues up until his death, including reportedly suffering injuries from a fall that resulted in him hitting his head.
Lane was a former Fort Worth council member and mayoral candidate. He was elected to the board of the Tarrant Regional Water District in 2006 and was also elected to serve as its secretary from 2019 through 2023.
Many Fort Worth and Texas leaders expressed their condolences.
“Jim Lane was a trailblazer in countless ways, always carrying a fierce love for Fort Worth,” tweeted Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. “We all owe Jim a debt of gratitude for his decades of service to our city. Sending prayers to his wife Janet and his son Jake along with the entire family.”
Texas House Rep. Charlie Geren tweeted that Fort Worth will miss Lane.
“I was sad to hear of Jim Lane’s passing this morning,” Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley tweeted. “He was a public servant who left Fort Worth and Tarrant County better than he found it. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on.”
The trial of Dean, who allegedly murdered Atatiana Jefferson in her mother’s Forth Worth home in October 2019, is expected to proceed normally despite the death of Lane.
Judge George Gallagher said he anticipates beginning the trial on Monday, December 5, as planned. No special provisions of any kind were discussed during court Monday.
Jefferson, 28, was killed after a neighbor asked for a welfare check on the home since the front door had been left open. Jefferson grabbed a gun to investigate noises she had heard outside the window, court documents alleged.
Dean was checking on the house and body camera footage seemingly showed Jefferson being shot after apparently pointing a gun toward a window.
Dean’s defense attorneys had entered a plea of not guilty. Dean’s trial has gone through many developments, as covered by The Dallas Express.