This archive report was first published on 3 October 2019.
On September 6, 2018, a tragic event shook the Dallas community when Botham Jean, a 26-year-old accountant, was shot and killed by his neighbor, Amber Guyger, a 31-year-old former police officer.
According to reports, Guyger had just completed a nearly 14-hour shift and was distracted by sexually suggestive texts with another police officer. She claimed she thought she was entering her own apartment, but instead, she burst into Jean's apartment, which was one floor directly above hers.
Prosecutors argued that Guyger's actions were not a mistake, but rather a deliberate act of violence. They pointed out that she failed to recognize signs that she was standing outside the wrong flat, including Jean's distinctive red door mat.
During the trial, Guyger's lawyers argued that she was distracted and made a series of horrible mistakes on the night of the incident. However, prosecutors called her testimony 'garbage' and said her actions were not a mistake.
On October 2, 2019, the same 12-member jury that found Guyger guilty delivered a sentence of 10 years in prison, the maximum allowed under the law. The sentence was reached after an hour of deliberation.
Following the announcement of the sentence, Jean's brother, Brandt, spoke directly to Guyger, saying, 'If you truly are sorry, I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you.' He added, 'I don't even want you to go to jail… I love you as a person. I don't wish anything bad on you.'
Brandt was allowed to hug Guyger, and they held each other in a long embrace.
On October 3, 2019, Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of Botham Jean.
