Aaron Dean Trial Day 7: Live updates

Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price issued a statement in response to the verdict of Aaron Dean, saying in part "it is my hope and prayer that today's long-awaited verdict provides a sense of closure and peace to Atatiana Jefferson's family, friends, loved ones, and our entire community."

Price continued to say "this marks a pivotal moment for our community, as an opportunity for us to remember and honor Atatiana."

Fort Worth Councilmember Chris Nettles issued a statement responding to the verdict Aaron Dean received for the death of Atatiana Jefferson. 

In part, the statement said "we have been waiting for 1,160 days for justice to be served. And yet...justice still hasn't been served."

The statement continued to say "I don't know where we go from here, but I do know that things need to change."

Nettles said he will "continue to use my voice to fight for fairness, justice and equality in Fort Worth."

The Office of Mayor Mattie Parker and the City of Fort Worth issued a joint statement responding to Aaron Dean's manslaughter conviction this afternoon.

The statement read in part that although "today's verdict provides a measure of justice... it does not change the fact that a tragedy occurred that never should have happened."

Mayor Parker continued, "this tragedy for me has always been about Atatiana Jefferson – about her life as a daughter, sister, and aunt, and her lasting legacy."

She acknowledged that "many people in our community are hurting" and called for the city to "come together with compassion and grace."

Following Aaron Dean's manslaughter conviction and remand to the Tarrant County Jail, the former Fort Worth police officer will be held without bond until sentencing, sources tell CBS 11.

A new mugshot of Aaron Dean was taken after he was booked into the Tarrant County Jail following his conviction for manslaughter:

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said on Twitter that "justice is the cost for the horrible acts that took the life of Atatiana Jefferson and many other Black lives at the hands of law enforcement."

However, the organization said that police reform "is the payment needed to begin to undo years of systemic issues that have robbed our communities of Men and Women."

When the guilty of manslaughter verdict came down against Aaron Dean, one woman immediately left the courtroom, walked into the hallway and yelled, "What is wrong with Fort Worth?"

Dozens of others followed... some crying, expressing their frustration Dean wasn't found guilty of murder, instead of manslaughter.

"Manslaughter carries two to 20… Aaron Dean should be spending the night in jail, and that's something that hasn't happened in Tarrant County. That's a first," said Fort Worth attorney Lesa Pamplin. 

Lee Merritt, the attorney for Jefferson's family said he said thought it should have been murder too. But he wouldn't say more citing the current gag order everyone involved in this trial is under.

That gag order is still in place, with the penalty phase starting tomorrow Friday morning.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who was elected to serve the 30th District in Dallas after Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson retired last year, said in a tweet:

Sending hugs, love & light to the amazingly strong family of Atatiana Jefferson who persevered through such a difficult tragedy. Aaron Dean was found guilty! Rest in Love, Queen.

Dr. Allison Campolo, chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, tweeted that "we are grateful for the prosecutors who fought for justice for Atatiana and her friends and family who testified on her behalf and worked tirelessly to make her story known."

She called this "a solemn day as we continue to mourn the death of Atatiana Jefferson & what it means for our communities" and noted that although Dean's sentencing has yet to begin, he will never again serve as a police officer.

Representative Marc Veasey issued a statement on the manslaughter conviction of Aaron Dean on Thursday afternoon, shortly after the verdict was announced.

Rep. Veasey said in part that "today's guilty verdict is one small step to delivering justice for Atatiana Jefferson and her family" but that "it will never give Atatiana her life back or return her to her family."

He said that the verdict exemplifies the need for greater accountability and called for the City of Fort Worth to create a civilian police review board.

Rep. Veasey also called for the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which has already been passed multiple times by the House of Representatives.

The court announced that the punishment phase of the trial will not begin Thursday afternoon.

Sentencing will instead begin on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m.

Estella Williams, President of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County NAACP, said the following on Thursday afternoon:

The Officers and members of the Fort Worth Tarrant County Branch of the NAACP join others across the nation in expressing relief that justice was served in the Aaron Dean verdict. We're optimistic that this decision may represent a paradigm shift, where we begin to overcome racial and social injustices locally, regionally, and nationally that have been pervasive in policing. Whatever you feel about today's verdict, it's another reminder of how much more we have to do to heal as a nation.  "There must be a strategy for change that will ensure an America that will be true to our constitution."

A jury has found former Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean guilty of manslaughter.

The verdict was reached on Thursday afternoon after just about two days of deliberation.

Jurors have reportedly reached a verdict in the Aaron Dean murder case. More info to come soon.

8:30 a.m. — The jury has began deliberating.