Franklin County approves $7 million settlement in Casey Goodson Jr.'s death
Franklin County Commissioners unanimously approved Tuesday a $7 million settlement in a civil lawsuit involving a sheriff deputy's fatal shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. in 2020.
The Franklin County Prosecutor's Office asked commissioners to approve the multi-million dollar settlement from the county general fund that would dismiss all civil claims by Goodson's family without admitting any liability, according to the resolution.
Former sheriff's deputy Jason Meade fatally shot Goodson in December 2020.
Before the approval, all three county commissioners spoke about how the dollar amount would not bring Goodson back or replace the loss his family has felt.
"While Casey Goodson's life being taken is certainly a tragedy no matter how you look at it, another tragedy would be if we didn't learn and grow as a county. In that case, the needle is moving," said Commissioner Kevin Boyce, who was absent from Tuesday's meeting until the resolution involving the settlement was heard.
Meade faces a retrial by special prosecutors this fall after a jury could not agree on a verdict earlier this year.
Meade was initially charged with one count of reckless homicide, one charge of murder for purposefully causing his death and one charge of felonious assault in Goodson's death.
Prosecutors later dropped the purposeful murder charge and plan on retrying Meade with the remaining reckless homicide charge and murder charge. The first court date in his second trial is set for October.
On Dec. 4, 2020, Meade was working in a federal fugitive task force when he saw Goodson pointing a gun out of the windshield of his car, he testified during his trial. Meade followed Goodson, who had headphones playing at an unknown volume and commanded him to drop the gun as Goodson entered the side door of his grandmother's home.
Meade pulled the trigger on his rifle that was set to automatic fire, firing six shots. Five of the shots hit Goodson in the back, and one hit him in the side, according to an autopsy report presented during Meade's trial.
A handgun with its safety engaged was found under Goodson's body, according to evidence presented during Meade's trial.
What did Casey Goodson's family say after Franklin County approved settlement?
Goodson's family issued a statement calling the settlement historic. Sean Walton, the family's attorney, said they have "endured immense pain and hardship."
"The settlement allows Casey's family ... to concentrate fully on the upcoming murder retrial of Michael Jason Meade," 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."
Walton said the Goodson's family remains grateful for the community's support.
"We are determined to see justice served and will continue to advocate tirelessly for the conviction and accountability that Casey deserves," Walton said.
Brian Steel, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9, which represents the Franklin County Sheriff's office, said the December 2020 shooting was a tragedy for both Goodson's family and Meade's family.
"No amount of money will give either family their whole lives back," Steel said. "It appears, however, it will line the pockets of the attorneys who profit off these tragedies."
Dispatch reporter Bethany Bruner contributed to this story.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jason Meade's shooting of Casey Goodson Jr. will cost taxpayers $7M
