The trial of Aaron Dean, charged with the 2019 killing of Atatiana Jefferson, is postponed again due to a defence motion for judge recusal.

A Texas judge has once again delayed the murder trial of a former police officer accused of fatally shooting a Black woman in her Fort Worth home in 2019. The postponement, ordered on Monday by State Administrative Judge George Gallagher, was prompted by a motion to recuse the trial’s presiding judge, District Judge David Hagerman. The hearing on the recusal request will not take place until at least the week after next, pushing back the trial, which was initially set to begin on June 21.

Aaron Dean, the ex-police officer charged with the murder of Atatiana Jefferson, is accused of killing her while responding to a non-emergency call in October 2019. Jefferson was playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew when a neighbour called the police to report that the door to her home was open. Dean fired into the house through a window after allegedly perceiving a threat. Jefferson’s death has deeply strained relations between the Fort Worth Police Department and the city’s Black community.

Defence attorneys have claimed that Judge Hagerman has exhibited hostility toward them, describing his behaviour as “increasingly overbearing and rude.” At a hearing in early June, the defence requested a delay due to the illness of lead attorney Jim Lane and the unavailability of a key witness, but Hagerman insisted that the trial proceed on schedule. Despite this, a scheduling conflict led to Monday’s decision to delay the trial further.

Hagerman had previously denied a defence request to move the trial to another county, arguing that media coverage had made it difficult to find an impartial jury. In addition, Hagerman imposed a gag order that prevents both the prosecution and the defence from publicly discussing the case.

Dean’s trial has been repeatedly delayed, with the COVID-19 pandemic being a significant factor in the hold-ups. Earlier this year, Hagerman postponed the trial from May 16 to June 21 due to the health of the defence attorney. However, with the recusal hearing now pushed into the following week, the trial will face yet another delay.

Jefferson’s death and the prolonged legal proceedings have led to heightened tensions in Fort Worth, especially within the local Black community, as they await justice for her killing.

The reinvestigation uncovers shortcomings in both individual actions and organisational practices during a controversial stop-and-search.

A reinvestigation into a stop-and-search incident, where the window of an Asian man’s car was smashed, has revealed significant failings in the conduct of both officers and the police force. The probe, conducted by the City of London Police, came after Ryan Colaco, a South Asian man, filed a complaint and sought a review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The incident, which occurred on May 29, 2020, near Cannon Street station, involved the smashing of Mr Colaco’s car window by an officer, following a search on suspicion of drug possession during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The police force’s findings have been criticised by Mr Colaco’s lawyer, Sophie Khan, who stated that the reinvestigation demonstrated both organisational and individual failings. She highlighted that the incident should serve as an opportunity for change in the way black and minority ethnic individuals are policed in London. In the process, officers failed to substantiate the suspicion that Mr Colaco was involved in drug-related activities, and no illicit substances were found.

The report revealed that the officers’ claims of Mr Colaco behaving suspiciously by allegedly closing his car windows and reaching toward his waistband were contradicted by body-worn camera footage, which showed no such actions. The officers also lacked any specific intelligence to justify their actions and the use of force during the stop. One of the key points raised was the unnecessary smashing of the car window, which raised safety concerns, as well as the over-deployment of officers at the scene.

Detective Sergeant Oliver Walker expressed regret for the impact on Mr Colaco, acknowledging that the situation could have been handled more effectively. He also noted that officers could have taken alternative approaches instead of resorting to force. Additionally, the officers involved failed to complete the required GoWisely process, which would have informed Mr Colaco of the reason for the search.

While there was no evidence of racial or discriminatory bias, Detective Chief Inspector Carly Humphreys recommended that officers undergo further cultural sensitivity training to address unconscious bias, particularly in interactions with black individuals. The officers have been directed to complete refresher training on the use of force and the proper documentation of decisions during stop-and-search operations.

Mr Colaco, who has found driving more stressful since the incident, commented on the long-lasting mental health effects the experience has had on him. Meanwhile, City of London Police has vowed to implement the lessons from the review, including using independent external consultations to improve their approach to stop-and-search operations involving young black people.

The Metropolitan Police, who were involved in handling Mr Colaco during the incident, have also been approached for comment. Detective Chief Superintendent Becky Riggs of City of London Police confirmed that the force is taking the findings seriously and is committed to ongoing improvements in professionalism and public trust.

Police warn public not to approach suspect after domestic incident in Miles Platting leaves teenager dead and mother seriously injured

A 15-year-old boy has tragically died, and his mother has been left with serious injuries following a brutal stabbing at their home in Miles Platting, Manchester. The horrific incident occurred on Thursday evening, around 9:30pm, when Greater Manchester Police were called to the scene.

The teenage victim was treated for stab wounds at the property before being rushed to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries about an hour later. His mother, aged in her 40s, also suffered multiple stab wounds and was treated at the scene before being transported to hospital, where her condition is now stable.

The police have issued a warning urging the public not to approach the suspected attacker, who is believed to have been known to the victims. Described as a man in his mid-40s, of medium build and height, and wearing dark clothing, the suspect was last seen walking along Sawley Road shortly after the attack. Authorities have asked anyone who may have seen him to contact police immediately by calling 999.

A large police cordon was established on Friday, covering areas around Bednal Avenue and Sawley Road, as forensic teams and search units combed the scene. One local resident described the family as quiet and well-mannered, adding that they would often see the boy walking to and from school. “This is devastating,” she said, recalling seeing paramedics trying to resuscitate the boy at the property.

Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed shock at the violence, stating, “It’s not the kind of thing that happens around here. The area has improved so much with regeneration, and this is just so sad.”