Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor said she and special prosecutors will determine whether to retry former Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade on a murder charge following a partial verdict in his case Thursday.
Meade was found guilty of reckless homicide by a jury, but Judge David Young declared a mistrial on the murder charge after the jury could not reach a decision on that count. That leaves an important decision for Favor, her team and the special prosecutors in the case.
Favor said in a statement Friday that attorneys in her office will work with special prosecutors Tim Merkle and Gary Shroyer to carefully evaluate all available options before any decision is made.
"The case currently remains with the special prosecutors appointed by my predecessor. Attorneys from the prosecutor’s office remain in communication with them, and are carefully evaluating all available options before any decisions are made," Favor said. "This is a serious matter, and any next steps will be approached thoughtfully and with respect for the legal process, the impacted families, and the broader community. When there is additional information we are able to share, we will communicate directly and transparently with the public.”
Thursday's verdict followed the second trial for Meade. The first ended in a mistrial with no verdict two years ago.
The second mistrial this week on the murder charge sets the potential for a third trial.
Merkle and Shroyer declined to say Thursday whether they will seek another trial. The family of Casey Goodson Jr., the man Meade shot and killed in 2020, said they want a new trial for the murder charge.
Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge #9 President Brian Steel told reporters he wants Favor to drop the murder charge.
Meade’s bond was revoked on Thursday and he is in custody at the Franklin County Jail. A sentencing date is set for July 16.
