Family and Attorneys Call for Answers, Action in Casey Goodson Jr. Shooting
DECEMBER 9, 2020 (Columbus, OH) – The attorneys at Walton + Brown and Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein, representing the family of Casey Goodson Jr., are inviting the media to attend a virtual press conference where they will share updates and statements regarding the ongoing investigation. Tamala Payne, Casey Goodson Jr.’s mother, will share a prepared statement and be available for limited questions at the conclusion of the event.
WHEN: Thursday, December 10, 2020 - 11 a.m. EST
WHERE: Via Zoom
Statement from the attorneys representing Casey Goodson’s family:
The family of Casey Goodson thanks Dr. Anahi Ortiz for sharing today’s information with them and making a public statement. However, the press release from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office does not answer key questions about how or why Meade killed Casey Goodson. The release does confirm that Meade’s shooting of Casey Goodson was a homicide, and that Meade shot Casey multiple times in his torso. Casey Goodson was shot at the door of his own home, where he collapsed onto the floor of his kitchen, his keys still hanging in the door and the Subway sandwiches he brought home to his family lying next to him, as blood pooled around him. Casey Goodson’s family continues to demand answers and accountability for Meade’s decision to shoot and kill him. Casey’s family continues to wait for a final report from the Coroner’s Office, and for a thorough investigation into Meade and his decision to use lethal force against Casey Goodson
Casey Christopher Goodson, Jr. was shot and killed by a police officer, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade, on December 4, 2020. It has now been six days since this fatal encounter with no statement from law enforcement or Deputy Meade providing details or justification of Goodson’s killing.
“Unfortunately, Deputy Jason Meade has not given any indication as to why he confronted and killed Casey that day. Until he does, the family, and larger community, can only assume that Casey was targeted and killed as the result of a systemic issue related to racist policing, that kills black people just for living their lives. In the absence of a statement from Meade, or any kind of justification from his department, we have no choice but to believe this was another shameful example of a Black man's skin being weaponized against him despite no wrongdoing on his part,” said Sean Walton, Partner with Walton + Brown, LLP.
“We are shattered. Everyone in our family was a big part of his upbringing, this is a loss for everyone. He was our baby. You never imagine this happens to you. Casey was my rock, he was the big brother, he helped with everything. My son was more than amazing, he didn’t deserve this,” Tamala Payne, Casey Goodson’s mother shares, “I want justice. I want murder charges. If it was my son, he would be in jail right now with murder charges. If it was me, I would be sitting in jail with murder charges. My son was executed coming into his home. He laid on the kitchen floor dying in front of his five-year-old brother, my 72-year-old mother, and a whole slew of family members. We want justice. If it was anyone of us, we would be in jail today trying to pay a bond, if we had one. The only threat my son was, was being a Black man in America.”
“This is another example of racist policing practices and a systemic tolerance for police that kill black people for simply living their lives.” says Sarah Gelsomino, partner at FG+G. “Casey was a Black man who was executed in his own home. We cannot allow this kind of violent, biased policing in our country. We demand proof and accountability for Jason Meade’s actions.”