The family of Atatiana Jefferson will finally have their day in court as they seek justice on her behalf. After three years since her death, a new trial date has been established.
In 2019, Jefferson’s neighbor, James Smith called the police for a non-emergency wellness check after noticing that the door to her home where she was babysitting her nephew was left open overnight.
He told news reporters, “I called my police department for a welfare check. No domestic violence, no arguing, nothing that they should have been concerned about as far as them coming with guns drawn to my neighbor’s house.”
We reported that Jefferson, 28, was shot and killed by police officer Aaron Drew, after he noticed someone standing inside of the house while doing a perimeter search. Jefferson’s nephew recalls his aunt taking a gun out of her purse when she heard noises outside of the house. He also told authorities that she pointed the gun at the window as a way to protect herself.
Reports say that Dean’s body cam footage reveals that he was in uniform but he failed to announce himself while on the premises but fatally shooting Jefferson. The officer would resign from his job two days after the shooting.
After multiple court date cancellations, the jury selection for this trial will begin on November 28th. The trial is set to begin on December 5th.