Former Franklin County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Meade will be released on bond as county prosecutors weigh retrying him on one count of murder.
Judge David Young decided to reinstate Meade's bond despite a jury finding him guilty of reckless homicide for fatally shooting Casey Goodson Jr. in 2020. Young declared a mistrial on a murder charge after the jury couldn't come to an unanimous verdict.
Meade's first trial also ended in a mistrial in 2024.
Since May, the Franklin County Prosecutor's Office has weighed a decision on whether to retry Meade for a third time. Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor chose to remove special prosecutors Gary Schroyer and Tim Merkle.
Prosecutor Robert Krapenc told Young his office still hasn't decided whether to retry Meade. Favor was there herself on Tuesday alongside Krapenc.
Much of Meade's and Goodson's families and supporters were also present in the courtroom.
Meade is one of several law enforcement officials in Franklin County who have been put on trial in recent years. Former Columbus Police Officer Adam Coy was found guilty of murder in the 2020 shooting death of Andre Hill, while former Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb was found not guilty of murder and other charges in the 2023 shooting death of Ta'Kiya Young.
Young also announced he will be recusing himself from the case, pending approval.
