An extraordinary moment in court today as former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced to 1o years for killing Botham Jean. The murder conviction carried a possible life sentence, but testimony from Brant Jean, the victim’s younger brother may have helped Guyger. The Dallas News reports:
After a day of testimony focused on how long Guyger would spend in prison — the prosecution had asked for 28 years — Jean’s teenage brother said in his victim-impact statement that he wished she didn’t have to serve any time at all.
Instead, he said, he wanted for Guyger what his older brother would have wanted.
Jean said: “I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want for you. I love you as a person, and I don’t wish anything bad on you.” He then asked the judge, “Can I give her a hug, please?”
Wow I've never seen this before at a sentencing hearing:
Botham Jean's brother asked the judge if he can hug Amber Guyger after a jury sentenced her to 10 years in state prison for killing his brother.
He said he forgave her and they embraced as sobs rang out in the courtroom pic.twitter.com/7Mux7Tk03o
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) October 2, 2019
Watch Jean’s full statement above.