Atatiana Jefferson
Jurors sentenced Aaron Dean to almost 12 years in prison for killing Lake Highlands High School graduate Atatiana Jefferson. The former Fort Worth police officer was convicted of manslaughter Thursday, and the same jury pronounced his punishment today.
Seven men and five women deliberated for about 13 hours over two days before announcing Dean’s sentence of 11 years, 10 months and 12 days. Dean must serve half his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
Dean shot Jefferson through the window of her mother’s home after an observant neighbor phoned police to report a door left open. Inside, Jefferson was caring for her nephew while her sister was sick. The doors had been left open because the boy burned dinner. Jefferson retrieved her gun when she heard an intruder in the backyard. Dean shot without announcing that he was a police officer.
Jefferson’s sister, Ashley Carr, gave a victim’s impact statement after the sentence was delivered.
“Atatiana should still be here,” Carr said of the college graduate who hoped to go to medical school. “She had big dreams and goals.”
