Aaron Dean, a former Fort Worth cop, is serving a prison term of nearly 12 years for the 2019 shooting of Atatiana Jefferson. He was charged with murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.
Dean's legal team now says the evidence from last month's trial does not support the conviction. They filed a motion requesting a new trial and for him to be released from state jail on bond.
Dean testified he thought Jefferson was a burglar who was pointing a gun at him, even after he had shot Jefferson and went inside the house, finding Jefferson's nephew in the same room as her body.
Dean had never announced he was a police officer in the 2019 incident.
The defense has raised a claim that there also may have been inappropriate behavior on the part of a juror.
Earlier this month Gallagher granted Dean's attorneys access to juror information that will allow them to investigate the panel after learning one of them may have posted a message online seeking opinions about the trial while the trial was still underway, accoring to NBCDFW.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD