Atatiana Jefferson
Jurors today found former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean guilty of manslaughter, not murder, in the killing of Lake Highlands High School graduate Atatiana Jefferson. The Tarrant County jury deliberated 14 hours over two days.
Defense lawyers said Dean acted in self-defense when he shot Jefferson through a window in the early morning hours of Oct. 12, 2019. Dean claimed he saw Jefferson point a gun at him while he was responding to a call at her mother’s home. Prosecutors noted that Dean and another arriving officer did not announce their presence or identify themselves to persons inside the home.
Dean, 38, faces up to 20 years in prison. The sentencing phase begins Friday morning.
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Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.
