Defense attorneys for former Franklin County Sheriff's SWAT Deputy Jason Meade want his murder trial moved to a new location.
Meade's defense attorneys Kaitlyn Stephens, Mark Collins and Steven Nolder want to move the trial out of Franklin County even before a jury is chosen. Meade, 46, was charged with murder and reckless homicide in the Dec. 2020 shooting of Casey Goodson Jr.
Meade's team argues publicity in media outlets and statements about Casey Goodson Jr. by local elected officials cause prejudice against Meade. Meade fatally shot Goodson as he walked into his grandmother's north side home.
The defense attorneys argue prejudice against Meade in Franklin County can be presumed without any showing of actual bias.
The last trial against Meade ended in a mistrial after the jury couldn't reach a unanimous verdict. A jury was successfully seated in that trial.
Meade's team argues moving the trial will help protect Meade's right to be innocent until proven guilty. Meade's attorneys did not say where they think the trial should be moved to.
Some of the actions the defense team cited as reasons to move the trial include statements made by elected officials after the mistrial. These include newly-elected Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor, Mayor Andrew Ginther and others.
Meade's team said local elected officials have acted as social media influencers and "almost all elected officials in Franklin County, the county where this case is set to stand to be retried, have adjudicated our client guilty, in spite of being presumed innocent and have created an environment where Meade has been "stripped of the presumption of innocence."
Meade's team also gave examples of other actions in the courtroom and around the community that could influence a jury. The attorneys said banners and posters were placed on overpasses around downtown Columbus and flyers were put on cars in and around the courthouse.
The team also accused members of the courtroom gallery of wearing clothing that expressed support for Goodson and of putting Airpods in their ears. Goodson was wearing AirPods when Meade shot him.
Franklin County Court of Commons Pleas Judge David Young will have to decide whether or not to agree to the motion.
