Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was found guilty on October 1, 2019, of the September 6, 2018 murder of then 26-year-old Saint Lucian Botham Shem Jean.
Guyger’s murder trial started on Monday, September 23 and continued for seven days. The jury heard testimonies from Texas Rangers, police officers who responded to Guyger’s call, neighbours, Jean’s family and Amber Guyger. In her testimony, the defendant claimed that she entered Jean’s apartment mistakenly thinking it was hers. She noticed that the door as opened when she put in her key and recognised that someone was inside.
According to Guyger, she entered meaning to protect herself and apartment, shouting, “Let me see your hands, let me see your hands!” to who she thought was an intruder when Jean’s silhouette began to approach her. Fearing for her life she fired her gun with the intent to kill.
Neighbours said they did not hear any clear commands, just two distinct voices before the gunshots sounded. Defense attorneys argued that Guyger was tired after a 14 hour shift and long working hours for the week and she was also distracted from sexting another Dallas police officer and her patrol partner, Martin Rivera.
The prosecution dismissed Guyger’s claims as “garbage” and said that Guyger deleted text messages that she sent to Rivera minutes after shooting Jean. One of those deleted messages said, “I’m f***ed,” and another telling Rivera that she needed him. Prosecutors also argued that Guyger administered little assistance to Jean despite being trained or having emergency health aid equipment in her bag.
Her call to 911 was played several times in the court where Guyger said 19 times, “I thought it was my apartment.” Footage of officers’ response at the scene was also used in court where Jean was administered CPR.
Following the verdict, Botham Jean was described as “near perfect” outside the courtroom where several community advocates spoke to the media calling Guyger’s trial as historic.
During the punishment phase of the trial, Allison Jean was called to the stand to testify before the jury. She spoke of Botham Jean’s willingness to help others, his loving nature and his involvement in his local Church of Christ. Allison teared up on the stand when she reminisced on Jean’s surprise visit to Saint Lucia one Mothers Day.
Allison said that she is currently using several methods to cope with her son’s death but still finds it extremely difficult to even focus on work. “My life is not the same,” said Allison. She is worried about her youngest son, Brandt Jean, who she claims has become “very quiet” over the past year following his brother’s death. Allison lamented that she does not know what goes on in his mind.
Other testimonies showed Jean as a dedicated individual who was personable, kind, and always looking for a way to improve himself. Botham’s father, Bertram Jean broke into tears when he told the jury, “My Sundays are ruined.” He reminisced on the moments he shared with his son in church and visitations.
Old text messages and social media posts of Guyger’s, in which she displayed inclinations of violence and racism, were used by prosecutors in the punishment phase. One post featured a Minion from Universal Pictures’ Despicable Me with text: “People are so ungrateful. No one ever thanks me for having the patience not to kill them.”
Guyger’s mother, Karen, and sister, aunt, friends and coworkers were invited to the stand to speak about her personality and life. Defense attorneys questioned Guyger’s family about her being molested when she was 6-years-old. Miracle Chavez, Guyger’s friend of 14 years, reportedly mouthed, “I’m sorry,” to the Jean family when she returned from the witness stand.
Witnesses were asked questions to help jurors gain a sense of both Jean and Guyger’s lives up until September 6, 2018. Guyger’s remorse was also considered in defense questions.
Amber Guyger chose to have the jury decide the verdict of her trial instead of the judge. The 12 jurors had to determine whether Guyger should be charged with murder or manslaughter. On her murder charge Guyger faced up to 99 years in prison. Judge Tammy Kemp was bound to the jury’s decisions and was not permitted to alter the sentencing without starting a new trial. Today, October 2, 2019, the jury agreed that Amber Guyger be sentenced to ten years imprisonment.
