Family of Casey Goodson Jr. obtains $7 million settlement

Franklin County agrees to settle wrongful death case for Casey Goodson after Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade murdered Casey outside his own home.

Case Details

Client Name: Estate of Casey Goodson Jr.

Case Resolved: July 2024

Outcome: $7 Million Settlement

“Casey Goodson Jr. should be alive today. No dollar amount can bring him back, but this settlement sends the message that cities and counties will be held accountable for the egregious actions of their law enforcement.”

— Sarah Gelsomino, FG+G Partner

About The Case

On December 4, 2020, 23-year-old Casey Goodson Jr. was returning to the home he shared with his grandmother, carrying a bag of sandwiches for his family’s lunch. As he crossed the threshold, holding only the food and his car keys, Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade shot Casey in the back multiple times, killing him as his family watched in horror.

Casey was not a suspect in any crime and had no criminal record. Meade, who was off duty at the time and driving an unmarked police vehicle, later claimed that Casey had “flashed a gun” as their cars passed at a nearby intersection, and that Casey turned and pointed a gun at him outside the house. Although he was legally licensed to carry a firearm in Ohio, no weapon was found on or near Casey’s body.

Meade and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office showed a glaring lack of transparency and accountability. Neither Meade nor his unmarked vehicle were equipped with cameras. Witnesses reported that Meade pointed his gun at Casey’s family members, including an uncle holding a toddler. Meade also failed to render lifesaving aid as Casey lay dying in his own home. The unprovoked, unjustified murder of Casey Goodson is part of a deeply entrenched pattern of police brutality against Black men in Franklin County and across Ohio and the nation.

Represented by FG+G and Walton + Brown, Casey’s family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Franklin County and Jason Meade, citing excessive force, wrongful death, and systemic misconduct. In 2024, FG+G secured the $7 million settlement. This outcome acknowledges the family’s devastating loss and sends a clear message about the urgent need for accountability in policing.

Note on criminal indictment of Jason Meade: At the time of publication of this page, Jason Meade has not been held accountable for Casey’s murder. Jury selection for Meade’s trial is set to begin in early 2026.

Case News

Featured

Family of Casey Goodson Jr. obtains $7 million settlement

“Casey Goodson Jr. should be alive today. No dollar amount can bring him back, but this settlement sends the message that cities and counties will be held accountable for the egregious actions of their law enforcement.” - Sarah Gelsomino, FG+G Partner

Estate of Casey Goodson, Jr. Files Motion to Lift Stay of Civil Rights Suit

New image released in murder of Casey by Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade. The Estate of Casey Goodson, Jr. has filed a motion to lift the stay of the proceedings in the civil rights lawsuit filed against Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Meade and Franklin County, Ohio so that the lawsuit may proceed without further delay.

Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against Jason Meade And Franklin County In Casey Goodson Jr. Case

Walton + Brown, LLP and Friedman, Gilbert + Gerhardstein, jointly representing the estate of Casey Goodson Jr., filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against former Franklin County Deputy Jason Meade and Franklin County, Ohio.