The trial of former Fort Worth, Texas, police officer Aaron Dean has been delayed for a second time.
WFAA reports, there were three days of court proceedings before Judge David Hagerman ruled in favor of the defense’s request to postpone the trial.
Their reason was that two “essential witnesses” would not be able to testify the days the trial was initially scheduled due to previous commitments.
BET reported that the trial was scheduled to start on Jan. 10, 2022.
The judge cited the “unique nature” of the testimony of the witnesses, their scheduling conflicts as the reason for granting the request. The judge also cited that the defense was unable to find new experts in a short amount of time for the grounds to delay the trial.
The new tentative trial date is now May 16, 2022.
On the morning of Oct. 12, 2019, Atatiana Jefferson was playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew. The front door of the house she was in was left ajar open to let in a breeze. A neighbor reported the open door to the police.
Former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean and his partner opened a fence gate and walked into the backyard of the home.
Body-camera footage shows Dean shining his flashlight through the back window of the house. That is when Jefferson heard movement outside and picked up her firearm to see what was happening. As Jefferson looked out her back window, Dean fatally shot her.
Her nephew was with her in the bedroom where she was shot.
Dean was arrested and charged with murder days following the tragedy. He resigned from the force and has been out of jail on a $200,000 bond since Oct. 14, 2019.
