Settlement Reached in Federal Lawsuit
The family of Casey Goodson Jr., a 23-year-old Black man fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Ohio, has reached a $7 million settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit. The Franklin County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the settlement late last month, marking a significant resolution in the high-profile case that has drawn national attention.
The Incident and Aftermath
Casey Goodson Jr. was shot multiple times by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Jason Meade as he attempted to enter his grandmother’s home in Columbus in December 2020. Goodson’s death occurred during a period of heightened scrutiny of police violence, particularly against Black individuals, following the nationwide protests ignited by the murder of George Floyd earlier that year.
Goodson’s name became a rallying cry in protests demanding racial justice in policing, as his death was one of several involving Black men killed by white law enforcement officers in Ohio over the past decade.
Family’s Response to the Settlement
Goodson’s family described the settlement as historic and expressed relief at the resolution of their civil claims. Family attorney Sean Walton emphasized the importance of the settlement in allowing the family to focus on the upcoming murder retrial of Deputy Meade.
“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,” Walton stated. “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.”
The Upcoming Retrial
Deputy Michael Jason Meade, who was charged with murder and reckless homicide in connection with Goodson’s death, faced a mistrial in February 2023 after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. The trial had been marked by significant challenges, including the dismissal of four jurors. Prosecutors have since announced that Meade will face a retrial, scheduled to begin on October 31, although one of the two murder counts he faced has been dropped.
Meade has pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defense. He testified that Goodson waved a gun at him as they drove past each other, prompting Meade to pursue him out of fear for his own safety and that of others. Meade claimed he shot Goodson when the young man allegedly turned toward him with a gun.
