Officer Jason Meade Trial Explained: Murder Charge, Reckless Homicide, and Legal NuancesLawyer Talk: Off the Record, On the Air

Steve Palmer explains the nationally recognized officer-involved shooting of 2020, focusing on Officer Jason Meade of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Steering clear of politics, he dissects the legal mechanics and implications of the trial outcomes, a story that’s got everyone talking.

Key Takeaways:

• Charges at a Glance: Officer Meade faced murder and reckless homicide charges related to a police shooting. The trial resulted in a hung jury for the murder charge and a conviction for reckless homicide 03:00.
• Why the Jury Was Hung: After initial deadlock, the judge delivered the “dynamite charge” (also known as the Allen or Howard charge in Ohio), urging jurors to reconsider and reach a verdict 01:40. Even with this, there was no unanimous verdict for murder.
• Understanding Reckless Homicide: Steve explains reckless homicide in Ohio: acting with ‘heedless indifference to the consequences’—a notch above negligence, but not quite intentional killing 04:00.
• The Sentencing Process: After conviction, Officer Meade was immediately incarcerated pending sentencing (maximum five years possible) 06:27. The judge will order a pre-sentence investigation before final decisions are made 07:39.
• Behind-the-Scenes Decisions: Is there room for a plea or deal to resolve the remaining murder charge? Steve discusses the likely negotiations and the weighing of public, political, and resource concerns 08:01.

The Legal Nuance

Steve emphasizes how instructions like the "dynamite charge" and the statutory definitions of recklessness can tip the scales in high-stakes trials. Though the procedures are standard, national attention means every step is scrutinized 06:55.

What Happens Next?

Will Meade serve prison time, or could he be eligible for probation (“community control” in Ohio)? And will the prosecutor retry the murder charge? It’s all up in the air—and we’ll be here to break it down when it happens.

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2026 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

Mentioned in this episode:

Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com