What reckless homicide means in the Jason Meade verdict
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A reckless homicide verdict in Jason Meade's retrial underscores the high legal bar prosecutors face in securing murder convictions against law enforcement officers.
Why it matters: Reckless homicide will bring a lesser punishment than murder when the former Franklin County deputy is sentenced this summer.
- But it still means jurors found Meade criminally responsible for Casey Goodson Jr.'s 2020 shooting death — a rare outcome that could get lost in confusion about legal distinctions.
Catch up quick: While jurors found Meade guilty of reckless homicide last week, they couldn't agree on a murder charge. In 2024, a jury ended up hung on all charges.
How it works: The difference between murder and other charges in Ohio ultimately comes down to intent.
- Homicide is an umbrella term for any killing of another human.
- Murder is homicide, but it's also purposely causing somebody's death, with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years.
- Reckless homicide falls in between: more serious than a death caused by negligence, but not as serious as an intentional killing. It means the accused person disregarded "a substantial and unjustifiable risk" and is punishable by up to three years in prison.
The big picture: A reckless homicide conviction against a law enforcement officer is somewhat unusual, per a Bowling Green State University police violence database tracking crimes since 2005.
By the numbers: Of over 200 officers nationwide charged with crimes for an on-duty shooting as of mid-April, less than half have been convicted of anything.
- Twelve were convicted of murder, including Adam Coy in Columbus last year.
- Three were convicted of reckless homicide, while 38 were convicted of manslaughter, a separate crime other states may pursue.
What they're saying: "I would still like him to be convicted of murder, because at the end of the day that's what he did," Goodson's mother, Tamala Payne, told reporters.
- "But we are equally happy there is a conviction regardless."
The other side: "We don't think it is reckless for an officer to use deadly force when someone points a gun at him," Meade's attorneys said in a statement.
- "We understand the jury saw it differently, and we respect the process."
- Goodson was shot in the back, per an autopsy, and there is no video of the encounter.
What's next: Meade is scheduled to be sentenced July 16. Prosecutors didn't say last week if they'd pursue the murder charge again.
What we're watching: After Meade's case concludes, his attorneys will start preparing for the trial of former Columbus police officer Ricky Anderson, who killed Donovan Lewis in 2022.
- Anderson will be Central Ohio's fourth law enforcement officer to face a shooting trial since 2024.