In Dean trial questionnaires, attorneys ask prospective jurors about views on policing

Questions on criminal justice matters are included in jury questionnaire proposals that were filed by the state and defense in the Aaron Dean murder case. It is possible that people in the juror pool in the Dean case will receive a questionnaire that is different from the proposals.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday. Dean, a former Fort Worth police officer, is charged in the 2019 shooting death of Atatiana Jefferson at the house where she was living on East Allen Avenue.

Here is a sample of questions in the juror questionnaire proposed by prosecutors:

• Do you believe police officers are just as credible as other witnesses?
• On a scale of 0 (Very Negative) to 10 (Very Positive), what is your opinion about the following?

1. Police Officers
2. Criminal Justice System

• How strongly do you agree or disagree with following statements:

1. Police officers are too quick to use their service weapons.
2. If an intruder was in my home, I would never use deadly force to defend myself.

• Do you think police treat minorities differently?
• Do you or a member of your household own any firearms?
• Do you give time, money, or support to, or identify with any group(s) or organization(s) that support people who feel they have been harmed by police?
• Have you ever contributed time or money to any organization that supports the police or law enforcement?

A sample of questions in the juror questionnaire proposed by the defense:

People answering the questions are asked to circle one number, one to five (one = disagree strongly; five = agree strongly) in response to the following statements:

• If someone disobeys a police officer, they deserve whatever force – including deadly force – is used against them.
• I am okay with police officers using greater force than is necessary because they deal with unsavory people all the time.
• I am inclined to convict a police officer who is charged with an offense against a member of a different ethnic group or a minority.
• Police officers should be able to use any force – including deadly force – to apprehend a fleeing subject.
• I would be unwilling or unable to serve as a juror in a criminal case in which the accused is a police officer.
• I have feelings towards a racial or ethnic group that would cause me to judge a defendant, witness or complainant who is a member of that racial or ethnic group differently than I would judge a member of my own racial or ethnic group.
• I would want to find an accused guilty if it was shown at trial that the victim is a member of my same racial or ethnic group and the accused is not a member of that group.

This story was originally published November 25, 2022 at 7:00 AM.

Emerson Clarridge

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

817-390-7935

Emerson Clarridge covers crime and other breaking news for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He works days and reports on law enforcement affairs in Tarrant County. He previously was a reporter at the Omaha World-Herald and the Observer-Dispatch in Utica, New York.