March 2024. Blues Vol 40 No. 3

GUEST COMENTARY police

GUEST COMENTARY police law news Daniel Carr Officer Involved: Casey Goodson Where was the gun? As in many Officer-Involved-Shootings (OIS) the entire case boils down to one very important and highly debated fact. In this case - the freedom of former Deputy Jason Meade resides inside the following question, WHERE WAS THE GUN? Police Law Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. BACKGROUND This incident occurred in Columbus, OH in December 2020. Franklin County Deputy Jason Meade was working as part of a US Marshals “fugitive task force”. This meant that he was not working in full police uniform and driving a marked patrol vehicle. As part of his assignment, Deputy Meade was driving an unmarked vehicle and was wearing plainclothes while donning a vest that read “U.S. Marshal”. INITIAL CONTACT Deputy Meade claimed that while he was working his vehicle passed by a vehicle that was driven by Casey Goodson (23). Officer Meade stated that he had no prior contact with Mr. Goodson and that as the vehicles passed each other that Mr. Goodson brandished/waved a gun at him. LAWFUL OBJECTIVE Whether Deputy Meade was in full uniform or undercover - it is reasonable that a police officer would investigate/detain an individual that waved a gun. Deputy Meade reported that he then turned his car around and followed Mr. Goodson. Deputy Meade observed him exit the vehicle and approach a residence. Deputy Meade stated that he chased Mr. Goodson on foot, verbally identified himself as a police officer, and caught up to him just as he was entering the home. USE OF FORCE Deputy Meade claimed that as Mr. Goodson was about to enter the home that he pointed a gun at him. Deputy Meade reported that, in response, he fired his weapon six times at Mr. Goodson - striking him five times. Mr. Goodson died from his injuries. THE EVIDENCE The shots that struck Mr. Goodson were all to his back. After being shot Mr. Goodson fell into the home and landed in the kitchen. A handgun was found next to his body. Deputy Meade on trial The Charges Deputy Meade was charged with murder and reckless homicide and is currently on trial. The trial continues this week and we will be following this case. THE CLAIM The family attorney of Mr. Goodson claimed that he was carrying a gun, but that it was concealed in a holster at the time of the OIS. The family attorney argued that Mr. Goodson had been carrying keys and a sandwich in his hands and did not brandish the gun. They stated that Mr. Goodson had a legal concealed carry permit and that he was carrying the weapon in an “inside the pants” holster and that the gun must have fallen out of the holster after the OIS. The family attorney also claimed that Deputy Meade did not identify himself or that if he did identify himself that Mr. Goodson did not hear him as he had air pods in his ears at the time of the OIS. ISSUES There was a lawful objective to detain Mr. Goodson. Deputy Meade was wearing a standard vest/uniform for his assignment. Deputy Meade claimed that he identified himself and it is not his fault if Mr. Goodson was wearing air pods. This case boils down to one question - where was the gun at the time of the OIS? If Mr. Goodson was holding the gun and pointing it (or moving to point it) at Deputy Meade - then it is likely a legal use of force. If Mr. Goodson had the gun holstered and was not holding it - then it is likely not a legal use of deadly force. This case is that simple. BREAKDOWN The evidence indicates that the gun was in Mr. Goodson’s hands at the time of the shooting. Here’s why… The gun was found next to his body. It is very unlikely (maybe even impossible) that a holstered gun would fly out of an “inside the pants” holster and land next to Mr. Goodson as he fell. The fact that the gun was near to him - indicates that it was likely not holstered at the time of the OIS. Then we have to ask - why would a licensed, concealed carry holder unholster a gun as he was walking into his grandmother’s house? For most responsible firearm owners - a gun is unholstered once inside the home - not prior to entering. Any education on how the human body reacts under stress and/or the study of the limits of human performance - would indicate that a gun could be pointed at an officer, the offender then turns, and in the 3/4 of a second that it takes the officer to respond to the deadly threat - the rounds strike the back of the offender. The placement of the shots do not prove anything that anti-police activists are trying to suggest. (If you haven’t yet - take the class. Force Science). FINAL THOUGHTS The unbiased evidence suggests that Mr. Goodson was holding the gun at the time of the OIS. Since there was no reason that he would have been holding a gun as he entered his grandmother’s house - the OIS is likely objectively reasonable. Deputy Meade should be acquitted of all charges. Here’s what could have happened. This is just my opinion. Perhaps Mr. Goodson did not realize that Deputy Meade was a police officer. The plainclothes and unmarked car in addition to the air pods could have created this perception. Perhaps Mr. Goodson thought that he was being pursued by a guy that he brandished a gun at and unholstered the gun and pointed it - to encourage the man chasing him to rethink his actions. Even if that is what occurred - the use of deadly force was legal. As once a gun is pointed at a police officer - there is but one expected and appropriate response. 24 The Blues - March ‘24 The Blues - March ‘24 25