TX - Former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger, indicted for Murder of Botham Shem Jean #5

[CrimeDawg123]

I think Ranger Armstrong is all bluster little substance.

 

[Wishbone]

Lots of people have sex before a tragic event happens. One doesn't have to trigger the other. Sex is natural.

It appears you didn't understand what I meant.

 

[blue22]

With a minority jury.

The jury is actually very diverse and a proper representation of the Dallas community. I don't think the makeup of the jury has anything to do with the special treatment she has received up to this point. However, that is a whole other issue not really to be tackled on this thread.

 

[blue22]

I think Ranger Armstrong is all bluster little substance.

I agree. He is probably a very good witness in most cases. This is just such a reach on the part of the defense.

 

[gitana1]

Ms Guyger testified today and it didn't go very well for her. The prosecution asked a lot of questions, got her to admit a lot of things, esp. that she proceeded into the apartment to shoot at the victim, even though her department's policy dictates she should retreat and cover. They got her to admit she had 2 different chances to retreat and cover and didn't.

A lot of very damaging testimony also about how she failed to render any first aid to Jean, even though she had essential supplies within her reach. She claims she gave him a sternum rub. Prosecution pointed out she kept getting up and leaving, texting, even though he was still alive.

Brought her backpack up and showed the special compression bandages she had that could have been used to stop bleeding, etc.

She claimed she shouted orders to "show me your hands" twice, but prosecution pointed out even though she was standing at the threshold of the apartment, partly in the hallway, 3 neighbors testified she didn't give any orders.

Lots more, it was a good day for the prosecution.

They also showed video of her getting into the patrol car outside after the shooting. Video showed Mr Jean's body being wheeled past the car a few feet away, but she just started texting instead.

Also pointed out that in the few days after the murder, including the day of his funeral, she was texting the boyfriend/officer and others that she wanted to go get drunk, making jokes, etc.

Prosecution made her admit to all of the above.

Oh my God. That last part. Can you imagine?

My life would be over. I would never be able to get over killing someone by accident. Ending an innocent man's life. I think I would definitely have to be hospitalized. I'm so sad Jean's family has to hear that.

I didn't expect that. It shocks the conscience.

 

[bwt42]

This. Everyone’s journey with grief is unique and when you navigate it it’s not a straight path. It’s up and down, back and forth and can catapult you into unknown places. Many of us here know this. We know it because we’ve had our own journey or we’ve witnessed someone else find their own way.

While AGs sexting MR after BJs death is certainly inappropriate, I can understand that maybe this time, her need was driven by something entirely different than before. I have seen some very inappropriate things transpire during grief and under extreme amounts of shock and/or stress.

That being said, I’m not saying this is the case here, just trying to maintain some objectivity.

All is simply my own opinion.

Good to see some objectivity here.

 

[Catmommy]

I think Ranger Armstrong is all bluster little substance.

I have immense respect for Texas Rangers as a whole, this one, not so much.

 

[bwt42]

Oh my God. That last part. Can you imagine?

My life would be over. I would never be able to get over killing someone by accident. Ending an innocent man's life. I think I would definitely have to be hospitalized. I'm so sad Jean's family has to hear that.

I didn't expect that. It shocks the conscience.

Why would that even be let in. Has nothing to do with the shooting.

 

[TristanP]

What about having it after a tragic event? Sexting with a married person a day or two after you killed an innocent person?

If you don’t believe you did anything wrong, why would you change the way you live your life?

This is one of the biggest issues here for me. She didn’t care at all that she did this other than worrying that it might cause a problem with her job. She hasn’t ever appeared the least bit concerned that she took someone’s life.

 

[gitana1]

Depends on who you ask! LOL!

I think it is going fine for the defense. I did not think her testimony was put on or her crying was an act. She admitted she made mistakes and I agree she made mistakes. I feel she was genuine and remorseful.

Do you think making jokes and saying she wanted to get drunk just days after killing an innocent man on accident shows remorse? Or texting as his lifeless body is wheeled past her?

I'm horrified by that. She's not a 15 year old kid. She's a full grown woman. A cop. She took the life of another human who was innocent. How can she be so blasé? This is a sober, serious, life altering event. Ripple effects of grief for the loved ones of the victim.

I'm sorry. I don't know how any feeling human can interpret that as the conduct of a remorseful person. I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. But after hearing that I definitely side with those who thought she was more worried for her job and herself.

This is horrible. Just horrible.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

I have immense respect for Texas Rangers as a whole, this one, not so much.

I am comparing Armstrong's testimony with that of Officer Blair earlier today - arrogance and condescension vs. respect. Maybe it is just because Armstrong is a Texas Ranger/Investigator who is testifying as an expert witness as opposed to Blair being a patrol officer/scene witness. Whatever the reason, the difference is striking. I am wondering what the jury will think.

 

[blue22]

Why would that even be let in. Has nothing to do with the shooting.

I feel like the defense opened the door for this, when they claimed she felt remorse after the shooting and sought to prove that through her testimony.

 

[Mormon Attorney]

I am just so sad about this whole case. So sad. I have friends who knew the victim. What a beautiful wonderful soul who did so much good and would have done so much more if his life had not been cut short. His poor family and all his friends. There are no words. He is truly a rare human being whose life was about service.

I also feel pain for the officer's family. I believe she made a terrible terrible mistake - like the parents who leave their kid in the hot car. Where you cannot even make sense of what happened. If you could change the outcome of that day, you would give anything to do so but it is done. The shooting was intentional but the jury will have to decide what is reasonable or not.

In that regard, the jury will also suffer. I have been a jury coordinator on death penalty/murder cases. It is a tremendous burden to hear these terrible details and then weigh the verdict knowing that your decision will carry such great weight. I have seen jurors break down in such sorrow over the load.

There are no winners here. Only pain. I hurt so much for all involved and trust that the jury will weigh all this so carefully and make the best decision for the facts.

 

[blue22]

We're done for the day. It's interesting. The defense had 3 expert witnesses and 2 were presented today. The defense said they want to reevaluate that last expert witness tonight.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

I am just so sad about this whole case. So sad. I have friends who knew the victim. What a beautiful wonderful soul who did so much good and would have done so much more if his life had not been cut short. His poor family and all his friends. There are no words. He is truly a rare human being whose life was about service.

I also feel pain for the officer's family. I believe she made a terrible terrible mistake - like the parents who leave their kid in the hot car. Where you cannot even make sense of what happened. If you could change the outcome of that day, you would give anything to do so but it is done. The shooting was intentional but the jury will have to decide what is reasonable or not.

In that regard, the jury will also suffer. I have been a jury coordinator on death penalty/murder cases. It is a tremendous burden to hear these terrible details and then weigh the verdict knowing that your decision will carry such great weight. I have seen jurors break down in such sorrow over the load.

There are no winners here. Only pain. I hurt so much for all involved and trust that the jury will weigh all this so carefully and make the best decision for the facts.

Beautifully said.

 

[gitana1]

If you don’t believe you did anything wrong, why would you change the way you live your life?

This is one of the biggest issues here for me. She didn’t care at all that she did this other than worrying that it might cause a problem with her job. She hasn’t ever appeared the least bit concerned that she took someone’s life.

Hell if I accidentally killed some kid who ran in front of my car through zero fault of my own, I would be hospitalized with grief. It's a damn life? Texting? Sexting? Joking? Discussing via text getting drunk?

I might actually get drunk to alleviate my intense grief. It would be so life altering for me. But to have casual discussions and joke is absolutely insane.

A man died.

I feel sad for humanity if this is interpreted as within the realm of the behavior of a remorseful person. And I don't care if she did other things to show remorse. Those other things don't erase all that. It truly shows a depraved character to me.

Of course her lack of remorse likely doesn't prove an element of the crimes but it can go to sentencing.

 

[gitana1]

Why would that even be let in. Has nothing to do with the shooting.

Maybe they can argue it goes to consciousness of guilt? I can't tell you. But that kind of testimony about reaction comes in in most cases. Not at all unusual.

 

[bwt42]

The jury is actually very diverse and a proper representation of the Dallas community. I don't think the makeup of the jury has anything to do with the special treatment she has received up to this point. However, that is a whole other issue not really to be tackled on this thread.

I didn't say anything about her treatment up to this point. A poster said she would not be convicted of murder. You said because she's white. That could be. I just pointed out the jury was a minority jury.

 

[bwt42]

Maybe they can argue it goes to consciousness of guilt? I can't tell you. But that kind of testimony about reaction comes in in most cases. Not at all unusual.

I think she will get a new trial if convicted. jmo

 

[Mickey Mouse]

If her apartment was supposed to have maintenance, why didn't she consider that it could be a maintenance person inside?