The funeral for Atatiana Jefferson, the Dallas pre-med student who was killed by a cop in her own home, is set for Thursday. The funeral was postponed for a week due to a family dispute.
Jefferson, 28, was fatally shot through her bedroom window on Oct. 12 when she peeked out after hearing a prowler in her backyard.
Dallas County Officer Aaron Dean, 35, resigned from the police force before he could be terminated.
Jefferson’s funeral was set for Saturday, Oct. 19, but a judge granted a restraining order to her stepfather, Marquis Jefferson, who argued that he would suffer “immediate and irreparable injury” if the funeral went on as planned.
Jefferson’s aunt, Venitta Body, told reporters that Marquis Jefferson is not Atatiana’s biological father. Body said Marquis Jefferson has not spoken to family members. She continued with the funeral service planning without his input.
“He’s the father of the deceased,” Walter L. Irvin, his lawyer, said on Friday. Irwin presented a birth certificate signed by Jefferson. “They would not let Mr. Jefferson participate in burial arrangements. That’s why we had to seek an injunction.”
On Monday, Dallas County probate court judge Brenda Hull Thompson held a closed door meeting with both sides of the family. Afterwards, she issued a gag order to prevent the family from discussing what was said in the meeting.
Jefferson’s funeral is set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Dallas’ Concord Church, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Prominent civil rights activists, including Rev. Al Sharpton, will speak at the funeral.
Former Dallas Mavericks player Harrison Barnes and his wife, Brittany Barnes, paid 90 percent of the cost of the service, and Philadelphia Eagles player Malik Jackson paid the rest of the expenses.
