TX - Botham Shem Jean, 26, killed when police officer entered wrong apartment, Dallas, Sept 2018

[MaryG12]

On Saturday afternoon, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and state Sen. Royce West held a press conference. They asked for Dallas residents to be patient as they work to figure out what exactly happened Thursday night.

“Is this a white on black crime? Yes,” West said. “It was a white, female Dallas police officer who shot and killed a person from St. Lucia of African descent. Is this a race-related crime? Don’t know. I would hold any type of decision you make on what happened until all of the facts come in.”

He said the door was open and the officer was able to get inside the apartment.

“We need to find out whether there was a personal relationship,” West said. “There are so many facts that need to be looked at before determining what kind of homicide this is.”
Videos of what happened after Botham Jean was killed by a Dallas officer posted online

From the link above:

"She opened fire on him, but so far it is not clear what their interaction was prior to the shooting, according to the Dallas police."

Well hopefully it will be made clear when Guyger takes the stand during her trial.

 

[Jennifer17]

It seems to me that they had not even questioned her between Thursday and Saturday.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

All of this is very interesting.

The same Senator attended the press conference with the Mayor yesterday and said they needed to determine if there was a personal relationship. While the attorney said there wasn't one. So they seem to be in conflict, yet are holding a presser together today?

The attorney is ALSO calling this an "incident" which I find interesting. I would expect him to at least call it a homicide. Even Senator West did that during the press conference yesterday.

Now I am going to hope that I can actually watch this one. I planned on watching yesterdays and when I walked in the house I had a flood to deal with. Hopefully things stay calm today.

Most importantly, good luck with the flooding.

“There are so many facts that need to be looked at before determining what kind of homicide this is.”

I wish I could credit the writer of the following. I’ve had it in my notes for quite some time, so excuse my lack of legalese. It’s an easy way for me to understand. Please, any legal eagles jump right on in and school me.

“Homicide” is when any human causes the death of another. It can be a crime (like murder or manslaughter) or it can not be a crime (such as a killing in self-defense.)

Criminal homicides generally fall into three categories although the labels applied to them may change based on jurisdiction.

A) Intentionally Killing someone without legal justification, with malice aforethought. Some states call this murder, some call it murder in the 1st degree. If you plan to kill someone for the insurance money and plan it out at all, this is your category.

B) Intentionally Killing someone without legal justification, without malice aforethought. Some states call this Voluntary Manslaughter, some call it Murder in the 2nd Degree. If you are arguing with someone and it escalates to killing him, this is your category.

C) Unintentionally Killing someone without legal justification, while doing something else illegal or reckless. Some states call this Involuntary Manslaughter, some call it Murder in the 3rd Degree. If you shoot a gun in the air and a bullet kills little Timmy, this is you.

 

[Eclipse]

This poor man has only been dead- shockingly, abruptly killed- for a couple of days. I suppose he hasn't had a memorial service yet. Why has his family retained attorneys at this point?

 

[Eclipse]

It seems to me that they had not even questioned her between Thursday and Saturday.

I wonder if she had some sort of "breakdown"?

 

[Jax49]

Anyone find a link?

 

[Jennifer17]

This poor man has only been dead- shockingly, abruptly killed- for a couple of days. I suppose he hasn't had a memorial service yet. Why has his family retained attorneys at this point?

Why wouldn't they have retained an attorney. He was unlawfully killed and so many are covered up.

 

[luvhockey]

Been looking for a link but can't find anything on numerous Dallas stations

 

[Jennifer17]

Anyone find a link?

To what?

 

[Jax49]

To what?

Press conference at 6, by the family's attorney.

 

[blue22]

This poor man has only been dead- shockingly, abruptly killed- for a couple of days. I suppose he hasn't had a memorial service yet. Why has his family retained attorneys at this point?

I would have retained counsel immediately. Too many cases don't see justice and cases involving LE are complicated on top of that. It was very wise of them, IMO.

 

[Eclipse]

Why wouldn't they have retained an attorney. He was unlawfully killed and so many are covered up.

Oh, I would understand it at some point- but it's just a shocking and devastating thing to have happen and it's so new. They haven't arrested the killer- but they haven't officially let her go either.

 

[Eclipse]

Oh, I would understand it at some point- but it's just a shocking and devastating thing to have happen and it's so new. They haven't arrested the killer- but they haven't officially let her go either.

^^^should put they haven't absolved her of any future charges.

 

[Eclipse]

I would have retained counsel immediately. Too many cases don't see justice and cases involving LE are complicated on top of that. It was very wise of them, IMO.

I guess I am projecting. If something like that happened to my family member I couldn't even think for weeks. I go into shock. My father died suddenly of natural causes at 60 and I don't even remember his funeral.

 

[mickey2942]

I would have retained counsel immediately. Too many cases don't see justice and cases involving LE are complicated on top of that. It was very wise of them, IMO.

I am sure Mr. Merritt contacted the family, personally, to offer his services and condolences. As it seems like he does for so many families involved in shootings by LEO.

Seems like Mr. Merritt is good friends with Mr. King <modsnip: Please don't bring that into this discussion.>

 

[Lilibet]

I wonder if Guyger is saying that her gun accidentally fired. I don’t see how that could happen, but such a claim would certainly cause a longer investigation. And of course, a thorough investigation will attempt to determine if she had ever crossed paths with Botham. He would be hard to miss with his friendly ways.

 

[Eclipse]

Press conference at 6, by the family's attorney.

All I found was this:

Attorney says new evidence emerges in death of man killed by off-duty Dallas police officer

It didn't seem like a press conference though- just saying they want justice faster and there was no new evidence presented (?)

 

[Jennifer17]

Oh, I would understand it at some point- but it's just a shocking and devastating thing to have happen and it's so new. They haven't arrested the killer- but they haven't officially let her go either.

I suppose that lawyer has seen the numerous cases where they leak the victim's criminal record or in the case, similar to this of the woman shot in the laneway through the window of the police car when they searched her, the victim's home looking something to blame her for.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

Same rules applied to my father when he retired from LE - he kept his police revolver locked up in his closet. There was no "sign in" procedure, as he always had it with him - and locked up in the same closet when he was at home.

And to be totally honest here: Guyger is not a LE member I'd want protecting me, she was not mindful enough of her duties as a LE member. MOO

Ita....Mary.

Our grandson lives in a beautiful wooded subdivision but he is very mindful of his surroundings when he comes home since it has many beautiful trees and landscaping shrubs which could hide someone from being seen. Everyone in his area knows he is a Sgt. with the sheriff department.

I would think most officers scan the area around their home especially if they are coming home late at night or very early in the morning just to be safe.

Its just second nature imo for most of them to be very observant individuals.

This is why this case is so puzzling because she didn't even know how many levels she had gone. To be this distracted it makes me wonder if she was this easily distracted on duty as well.

I wouldn't want this woman protecting me either or even having the backs of her fellow officers. Some just shouldn't be police officers and she is one of those.

 

[Jennifer17]

I wonder if Guyger is saying that her gun accidentally fired. I don’t see how that could happen, but such a claim would certainly cause a longer investigation. And of course, a thorough investigation will attempt to determine if she had ever crossed paths with Botham. He would be hard to miss with his friendly ways.

Twice?