A jury found Amber Guyger guilty of murder on Tuesday for the killing of a black man, Botham Jean in September, 2018. The former Dallas police officer now faces 5 to 99 years in prison.
The jury deliberated on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning over whether Guyger was guilty of murder or manslaughter when she shot her upstairs neighbor on September 6, 2018. She was still in uniform when she fatally shot Jean, and had just ended her shift when she returned to the apartment complex where they both lived in Dallas.
Applause could be heard from the audience and the late Jean’s family could be seen in tears after the verdict was announced.
The case has received national attention following nationwide debate about police misconduct against people of color. Guyger is white and Jean was black. Judge Tammy Kemp reignited the debate on Monday after deciding the jury could consider the state’s “Castle Doctrine,” a legal exception that says a person in their home is not required to retreat before using deadly force on an intruder.
“This is a victory for black people in America,” Jean family attorney Lee Marritt told reporters after the verdict was announced.
Guyger was originally charged with manslaughter three days after the shooting took place. She was later fired by the Dallas Police Department and charges were increased to murder. The jury had to decide if she was guilty of either murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter.
In closing arguments on Monday, Guyger’s defense argued that the state had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that her actions weren’t self-defense.
“You don’t, as the jurors in this case, decide this case on emotion and sympathy,” defense attorney Toby Shook said, addressing the jury. “Who would not have sympathy for Botham Jean? Wonderful human being... but that is not part of your consideration as a juror.”
The prosecution argued that Guyger could not claim self-defense if she was the intruder in the wrong apartment, and that she missed key cues along her path from her car to Jean’s apartment that should have made her aware she was in the wrong place.
Copy the link below and Share with your Friends:
About BlogindoorBlogindoor.com Is A Top Tech Blog That Provides Free And Cheap Browsing Cheats On Mtn, Etisalat, 9mobile, Glo And Airtel, Latest Phone And PC Updates, Tweaking Guides And Tech News.
No comments:
Post a Comment