The murder trial jury found Amber Guyger guilty of murdering Botham Jean in Dallas, TX. Last year, she had mistaken Jean’s apartment for her own; he lived in the apartment above hers. Sentence proceedings started today; Guyger is facing life in prison.
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The case took over and shook the city of Dallas and the state of Texas as a whole. Guyger was fired from the police department soon after the events took place. Jean’s death led to protests and revived calls to address police use of force, not only in Dallas but around the country. The incident happened in September of last year and since then had been scrutinized by media, local community, and advocates of justice for African-Americans. Guyger was comforted by a Sheriff official not long after the verdict was handed in and announced.
The 26-year old Jean was in his home when Guyger arrived at the building. He was sitting, unarmed, on the couch in the living room. She found the door to Jean’s apartment unlocked and walked in. She mistook Jean for an intruder, as her defense lawyers said during the trial.
Prosecutors Jason Hermus and Jason Fine provided text messages between Guyger and a married, fellow police officer with whom she was having an affair. These included racially-insensitive messages. They also introduced inflammatory social media posts shared by Guyger.
The judge said the jury will be instructed on a legal defense that could reduce Guyger’s sentence. If the charges are reduced to second-degree murder, Guyger would face between two and 20 years in prison.
References:
- http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/jurors-convict-ex-cop-who-shot-man-after-entering-wrong-apartment-despite-castle-doctrine-protections
- https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/multimedia/Dallas-County-Sheriff-Official-Comforts-Amber-Guyger_Dallas-Fort-Worth-561880922.html
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/02/amber-guyger-offensive-texts-botham-jean-murder/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amber-guyger-sentencing-jurors-can-weigh-sudden-passion-defense-that-could-lessen-sentence-today-2019-10-02/
