Days before the start of a murder trial for a former Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT deputy, supporters of the Black man he shot and killed in 2020 gathered at City of Grace non-denominational church to pray.
On Wednesday evening, Tamala Payne, mother of Casey Goodson Jr., asked around 70 supporters to pray for the prosecution, judge, jury and former deputy Jason Meade.
Meade has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and reckless homicide in the Dec. 2020 shooting death of 23-year-old Goodson.
鈥淲hen we say we won鈥檛 go in hating him, we will go in feeling no way towards him, while wanting him to be held accountable for what he did to Casey,鈥� Payne said.
Meade claims he saw Goodson waving a gun in a car. He followed him to a family home in the Northland area, where Meade alleges Goodson later ignored commands to put down the gun and show his hands, then turned the gun toward him.
Meade shot Goodson six times in the back and buttocks.
Church pastor Michael Young said that he has been with the family through the lengthy wait for Meade鈥檚 trial. Young shared the family鈥檚 version of events, calling Goodson鈥檚 death murder.
鈥淗e was putting his keys in the door. With another hand, he was carrying a bag of Subway sandwiches. The screen door was actually closed on his back as he was trying to enter his home, and he was gunned down, military style, shot six times in the back,鈥� Young said.
The family has also claimed Goodson was likely listening to music on wireless earbuds and may not have heard Meade鈥檚 commands.
鈥淎nd for the last 38 months, collectively, we have been on a journey towards justice, asking God to intercede, asking God to prevail,鈥� Young said.
The family鈥檚 lawyer, Sean Walton, also shared frustration concerning trial delays. He noted that it took a year for Meade to be indicted.
鈥淎nd here we are, Jan. 2024. There have been delays. You would think that families have a right to a speedy trial, but here, because Jason is the defendant, he's been able to delay the case,鈥� Walton said.
Meade鈥檚 attorney, Mark Collins, has said indictments and trials in police shootings take a long time because of a thorough investigation and evidence-gathering process.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Jan. 29.
Special prosecutor Tim Merkle said he expects the trial to last about two weeks.
