The family of an Ohio man who was shot and killed by a former sheriff’s deputy will receive $7 million to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit over the December 2020 shooting.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the settlement late last month.
Casey Goodson Jr., 23, was shot multiple times in December 2020 as he tried to enter his grandmother’s Columbus home. His death — one of several involving Black people killed by white Ohio law enforcement officers over the past decade — sparked national outrage and cries for police reform.
Goodson’s family issued a statement calling the settlement historic.
“The settlement allows Casey’s family to resolve their civil claims against Franklin County, enabling them to concentrate fully on the upcoming murder retrial of Michael Jason Meade,” family attorney Sean Walton said. “While no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of Casey, this settlement is a crucial acknowledgment of the profound impact his death has had on his family and the broader community.”
Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide, but a mistrial was announced in February when a jury couldn’t agree on a verdict, ending tumultuous proceedings that saw four jurors dismissed. Prosecutors soon announced he would face a retrial, which is scheduled to start Oct. 31, but they have since dropped one of the two murder counts he faced.
Meade has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers have said the prosecution’s decision to seek another trial was due to political pressure from local elected officials.
Meade testified that Goodson waved a gun at him as the two drove past each other, so he pursued Goodson because he said he feared for his life and the lives of others. He said he eventually shot Goodson because the young man turned toward him with a gun.
Goodson’s family and prosecutors have said he was holding a sandwich bag in one hand and his keys in the other when he was fatally shot. They do not dispute that Goodson may have been carrying a gun and note that he had a license to carry a firearm.
Goodson’s handgun, which had an extended magazine, was found on his grandmother’s kitchen floor with the safety mechanism engaged.
Meade was not wearing a body camera so there is no footage of the shooting, and prosecutors repeatedly asserted during the first trial that Meade is the only person who testified Goodson was holding a gun.
In a tragic incident that shook the community of Columbus, Ohio, a $7 million settlement has been reached by the family of Casey Goodson Jr., a 23-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a police officer in December 2020. The settlement comes after months of protests and calls for justice for Goodson, whose death sparked outrage and renewed discussions about police brutality and racial injustice in the United States.
The shooting occurred on December 4, 2020, when Goodson was returning home from a dentist appointment. According to reports, he was shot multiple times in the back by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade, who was working with a U.S. Marshals task force at the time. Meade claimed that Goodson pointed a gun at him, but no weapon was found on Goodson’s body.
The shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. reignited tensions between law enforcement and the Black community in Columbus, with many questioning the use of force by police officers and demanding accountability for the actions of law enforcement officers. The settlement reached by Goodson’s family is seen as a step towards justice and closure for his loved ones, but many are still calling for further reforms to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement also includes changes to police training and policies in Franklin County, aimed at preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future. This includes increased de-escalation training for officers, improved mental health resources, and a commitment to transparency and accountability in cases of police misconduct.
The settlement in the case of Casey Goodson Jr. serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and equality in America. It highlights the need for systemic changes in law enforcement practices and policies to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect by those sworn to protect and serve them.
While the $7 million settlement may provide some measure of comfort to Goodson’s family, it cannot bring back their loved one or erase the pain of his untimely death. However, it does send a powerful message that police officers must be held accountable for their actions and that the lives of Black individuals matter.
As communities across the country continue to grapple with issues of police violence and racial injustice, the case of Casey Goodson Jr. serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to create a more just and equitable society for all. It is a call to action for lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and community members to come together to enact meaningful reforms that will prevent future tragedies and ensure that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect under the law.
