COLUMBUS, Ohio — It's been more than three years since Casey Goodson Jr. was fatally shot by a Franklin County sheriff's deputy.
The shooting happened outside Goodson's grandmother's house in the 3900 block of Estates Place on Dec. 4, 2020.
Now, former Franklin County Sheriff's deputy Jason Meade will face a jury on two counts of murder and one count of reckless homicide.
Jury selection lingered into Monday night. Once it is finished, trial can begin.
Meade was working on the Franklin County Sheriff's Office SWAT team when they were serving an arrest warrant not related to Goodson.
Meade's attorneys argue Goodson waved a gun at the deputies, then Meade told Goodson to drop the weapon. Defense attorney Mark Collins has said in previous interviews that Goodson did not listen to those commands. Meade then fatally shot Goodson.
Goodson's family said he was shot while entering his grandmother's house following a dental appointment and he was holding a bag of sandwiches at the time.
At the time, the sheriff's office did not have body worn cameras. There is no video of the shooting.
“I tell people all the time, I don't allow myself to feel the loss of Casey because I'm afraid if I feel I won't be able to fight. The feeling will take over the fight,” said Tamala Payne, Goodson’s mother.
Payne said Goodson had a conceal carry permit and legally had a gun.
She said after several delays, the start of the trial means she and her family can finally get closure.
“It means that we can finally start our healing process. It means I can finally start grieving,” she said.
Meade was a deputy with the sheriff's office for 17 years. He was placed on administrative leave after the shooting, and took disability retirement in July 2021, months before he was indicted.
Meade was also a deputized member of the US Marshals office, but a judge ruled he was not acting a federal agent at the time of the shooting. Meade's attorneys wanted the case to be tried in federal court as a step toward having the state charges dismissed because it was less likely Meade would be charged with killing Goodson under federal law. The judge ruled the case would stay in state court.
Meade has been out on bond since.
Payne said she and her family will be in court every day.
“Prayer keeps me grounded. It's something I have to face. It's something we've had years to prepare for,” she said.
Opening statements are expected on next Tuesday.