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Aaron Dean Trial Day 5: Live updates

CBS News Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) — The murder trial for former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean is now in its fifth day.

Dean is accused of intentionally shooting and killing 28-year-old Atatiana Jefferson inside her home back in October 2019.

Dean himself took the stand on day four, and didn't waste any time addressing the jury.

"This jury needs to hear from me and hear the truth."

Following that statement, the 38-year-old briefly described his life growing up in Arlington. He also talked about his professional life prior to joining law enforcement. He formerly worked as an engineer at a commercial refrigerator plant in the area. 

At the age of 32, he started the application process to become an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department. In August of 2017, he was accepted to the police academy. 

The jury of 12 will make the decision on whether Dean remains free or spends up to life in prison.

The trial will be streamed live everyday on CBS News Dallas-Fort Worth.

A full timeline of the events leading up to the trial can also be found here.

 

Court breaks for the day

3:19 p.m. – State and defense close. Jury is recessed for the day and will resume on Wednesday.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Jury returns to courtroom

3:18 p.m. – The jury returns to the court.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Court resumes

3:10 p.m. – Court has resumed and testimony continues.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Court recesses for a short break

2:55 p.m. - Expert witness Jonathyn Priest finished his testimony and has been excused. The court is now on a short break. 

By CBS Texas Staff
 

State rests its case

2:57 p.m. — After calling a rebuttal witness to the stand, the state has rested its case.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

'There were a number of mistakes made in the particular case'

CBS 11 News

1:15 p.m. — Priest testifies that officers could have followed better practices and tactics when they approached the scene of Jefferson's home. He says he based his conclusions on various pieces of evidence and career experience.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Court resumes with more expert testimony

12:55 p.m. — Court resumed with more expert testimony after the lunch break. Rebuttal witness Jonathyn Priest, a forensic analyst, is providing his review of the incident that led to Jefferson's death. 

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Defense rests its case, courtroom breaks for lunch

11:39 a.m. The defense has rested its case and Judge Gallagher dismissed the courtroom for lunch.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Dr. Coons: 'So far, this is good police work'

CBS 11 News

10:57 a.m. — Dr. Coons testifies that he doesn't see initial errors in how the former Fort Worth police officer approached a possible crime scene, calling it "good police work."

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Cross-examination of Dr. Coons continues

10:52 a.m. — Prosecutors question Dr. Coons on the particular tactics Dean used when he approached Jefferson's home. Jurors are being shown selections of Dean's body cam video while prosecutors question if Dean checked exterior windows and for how long. 

CBS 11 News
By CBS Texas Staff
 

Cross-examination of Dr. Coons begins

10:30 a.m. — The court is back in session. Prosecutors have begun the cross-examination of Dr. Coons.  

CBS 11 News
By CBS Texas Staff
 

Court recesses for the morning break

10:15 a.m. — The court is in a short morning break. Testimony will continue at 10:30 a.m with the cross-examination of Dr. Coons. 

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Expert witness says Dean did 'fine job' based on training

CBS 11 News

9:45 a.m. — Yesterday, prosecutors questioned Dean's tactics the night he shot Jefferson, getting him to admit several times that some steps he took were "bad police work." Today, Dr. Coons says Dean did a "fine job" based on training.

By CBS Texas Staff
 

Expert witness testifies on police procedure and use of force

9:15 a.m. — Dr. Jay Coons, a criminologist at Sam Houston University, is now on the stand for the defense as an expert witness. He's currently speaking about police procedure and use of force protocols. 

CBS 11 News
By CBS Texas Staff
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