GUILTY TX - Former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger, indicted for Murder of Botham Shem Jean #8

[sloane7777]

The judge gave her a bible after the trial. It’s been said that the judge is religious so I’m sure this was coming from a personal place. She wasn’t holding a bible study, right there, in the courtroom. No harm done, in my opinion.

On a side note, today is National Take Your Bible to School day!

I agree no harm done but Amber was in Custody and she was still an official so still not getting it (I can be thick sometimes)

OK...LOL still really confused but now about the take your bible to school day!

 

[grammieto5]

I had some weird dreams last night about the Judge. I hope she has protection, there are some crazy people out there. I mean just look at the posts here, some think what she did was wrong, some have no problem with it. I think there was not just shock at the sentence, but there was ALOT of anger. I just got up so I haven't read any posts or listened to any news. I pray what the brother did will not divide the family. God bless Mrs. Jean.. God bless the victim's family.

 

[sloane7777]

"Separation of church and state" is paraphrased from Thomas Jefferson and used by others in expressing an understanding of the intent and function of the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

Separation of church and state in the United States - Wikipedia

I am not at all religious however I do respect those who are religious/spiritual. I cannot understand how easily affronted non-believers are. I believe this country should afford "freedom OF religion, not FROM religion. Big difference. MOO.

that makes sense never thought of it that way !

 

[Weki]

No one elected Judge Kemp for sermons off the mount! You wanna go in the back and pray with the defendant that’s your business. But when you’re wearing the robe and you’re inside the courtroom please keep your religion out of it.

 

[kaen]

(Off topic and a question) I am interested to see that many here have been calling the judge by her first name rather than her last name. Does she ask to be called Judge Tammy or introduce herself that way? I am not accustomed to judges being called by their first name. It feels very familiar.

 

[BellaVita]

The actions and words of Judge Tammy and Brandt Botham were exactly the right thing at the right time. I am not sure I could have done the same but I like to think maybe I would have. They are portraits in courage. I don't think the judge was trying to gain anything here. She probably knew there could be backlash. My guess: she may not have considered that at all. All I know: people like her and the Bothams make the world a better place. MOO>

 

[grammieto5]

“I feel like we have a dog bite with the murder conviction, but the dog has no teeth," Dr. Frederick Haynes said of Guyger's 10-year sentence.

“If we can’t get justice there won’t be no Texas OU game, there won’t be a State Fair, I’ll shut the whole thing down,” activist Domonique Alexander told the crowd.

They then moved to march toward the West End and to Dealey Plaza and the Omni Hotel, chanting "No justice! No peace!"

“We are marching tonight, we are marching in the streets (of Dallas) tonight. So I hope your feet, your legs, your everything is ready tonight" Alexander said.

An arrest was made at the protest late Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, at the same time at the Dallas West Church of Christ, the family of Botham Jean spoke at a prayer service for their son.

Bertram Jean, Botham's father, said that his other son Brandt's expression of faith and forgiveness toward Amber Guyger during a victim impact statement in court Wednesday did not surprise him.

"It's the way he was raised," he said of his son.

Botham's mother Allison Jean also spoke at the prayer service. She said that forgiveness as Christians is healing, but there are consequences for actions and the suffering her family has felt must not go unnoticed.

"That 10 years in prison is 10 years for her reflection and for her to change her life," she said.

"There's much more that needs to be done by the city of Dallas," she said to a crowd of "amens." "The corruption that we saw during this process must stop."

"Because after now, I leave Dallas," she said. "But you live in Dallas, and it must stop for everyone."

"There's gotta be a better day, and that better day starts with each and every one of us," Jean continued.

Wednesday night at the prayer service, Allison Jean said that whether she had found it in herself to forgive Guyger is between her and God. "God knows my heart," she said.
Protests and prayers Wednesday night in the wake of Amber Guyger sentence

YES! I agree with her 100%.

 

[turaj]

I had some weird dreams last night about the Judge. I hope she has protection, there are some crazy people out there. I mean just look at the posts here, some think what she did was wrong, some have no problem with it. I think there was not just shock at the sentence, but there was ALOT of anger. I just got up so I haven't read any posts or listened to any news. I pray what the brother did will not divide the family. God bless Mrs. Jean.. God bless the victim's family.

from what I see the family will be okay...clearly father and son have some different ways to deal with this event but bottom line their faith will keep them all together. I do predict in five years they will be there to speak for her parole. the one that really looked like she could use a "hug" is Amber's mother...boy did I feel sorry for her..I have to assume that the judge had some interaction with her post sentence. Allison Jean will be the leader in terms of the civil case....good for her...going after the entire City. She wants change.

 

[sloane7777]

A lot of hatred directed at him. It's so so sad. I can't get the link to post but his father has been on CNN expressing the same sentiment. I will say it again, what an impressive family.

They could have put her in prison for 30 years and she could suffer every day of it and she would never change, but by connecting with his family and accepting the gift they have given to her by way of love and forgiveness, that might just help to heal her. Whatever she has experienced or whatever she has been shown for her to end up how she did, I don't think that is irredeemable. Maybe they can move forward and bring some real change like his mum was talking about and Bo's death may not have been in vain.

Despite all this, I wish that he was still alive and I had never heard his name.

I agree with everything you say but that being said, I think the general population is just sick of hearing how African Americans are quickly gunned down and other races can shoot 20 people and calmly be taken into custody , or gunned down because of a traffic stop , what I'm saying is it really gets to people and that's why , not condoning it , I think what Botham's brother did STOPPED Dallas from rioting last night , but the hate does not surprise me .

 

[turaj]

No one elected Judge Kemp for sermons off the mount! You wanna go in the back and pray with the defendant that’s your business. But when you’re wearing the robe and you’re inside the courtroom please keep your religion out of it.

that is why a judge has CHAMBERS!!

 

[turaj]

(Off topic and a question) I am interested to see that many here have been calling the judge by her first name rather than her last name. Does she ask to be called Judge Tammy or introduce herself that way? I am not accustomed to judges being called by their first name. It feels very familiar.

this is a chat room of sorts...I would never go up and say hello Judge Tammy....

 

[kaen]

This is an article about Mr. Jean's mother with references to how she prepared for this trial. She is simply amazing in my book. Her journey is heartbreaking.


"To prepare for the trial, Jean, 52, has attended therapy in St. Lucia where she lives and where Botham grew up. She has turned to prayer and fasting to strengthen her spiritually. Her therapist and attorney have tried to walk her through what to expect during the trial, and ways she can cope if it gets overwhelming. Her experience provides a window into what families of crime victims go through as they face those accused of killing their loved ones.
"My hope for the trial is for my son to get justice ... that the person who inflicted harm on him gets punished for the crime that she committed," Jean said." How Botham Jean's mother is preparing to face the former police officer who shot her son - CNN

 

[MsFacetious]

The actions and words of Judge Tammy and Brandt Botham were exactly the right thing at the right time. I am not sure I could have done the same but I like to think maybe I would have. They are portraits in courage. I don't think the judge was trying to gain anything here. She probably knew there could be backlash. My guess: she may not have considered that at all. All I know: people like her and the Bothams make the world a better place. MOO>

I agree.

Also, comments from both the D.A. and the Mayor posted in this thread indicate that they do not disapprove of Her Honor's actions.

I certainly hope that people will see this for what it is and not turn it into something it's not. I do not think we need to discourage compassion.

Im surprised at the harshness guided at Judge Kemp. Did the posters who have so much criticism of her watch the trial? She may have had to wipe her eyes a few times (for BOTH sides) but she never lost her composure, her neutrality, her control, or her fairness.
The bible was given after jurors were dismissed and after proceedings were concluded. I’m not a huge fan of that occurring, but I do not fault her for it professionally. Judge Kemp showed respect, empathy, humility, and fair mindedness in her actions after the proceedings.

There is a drastic difference in being impartial, fair, and unbiased than having zero emotion. The best judges are the former, not the latter IMO.

This is SO true. We NEED compassion in a courtroom.
I am GLAD we got to witness this.
Even as an atheist I can totally appreciate this moment and have no resentment that it occurred in a courtroom.

 

[sloane7777]

I was commenting in reply to the civil lawsuit against Dallas PD. The fact that AG blamed working a 13 hour shift, for her "exhaustion" could be a potential liability.

Personally, I think that it was a pitiful excuse. But, does it give the city liability?

I don't know about the long hours but it must be in their contracts or on some pre employee form that somehow protects them from "tired" liability but for gosh sake's they carry deadly weapons and 'Tired" can make you very very irritable kinda like truck drivers and pilots don't need long hours and these are the ones we hear about most , when you think about it , its very STUPID!

I think that Mata is certainly going to get in trouble for turning that camera off and I'm glad about that! He's done and said things that make me pause on protecting LE , he does not seem to like transparency JMO IMO

 

[Wishbone]

I saw a post from a deputy that the female officer was told to check Amber Guyger's hair for any sharp objects she could use to harm herself. This was after she was convicted of murder.

Where were her gloves? Cops don't touch hair without gloves on when doing a search.

 

[MsFacetious]

When the sentence came down I was bitterly sad and angry. I was thinking that Amber shouldn't appeal because she's lucky she got off so light.

I had wanted something symbolic. 16 years, one for every door she passed and didn't notice. 26 years for every year that Botham had lived. Or an extra year for every minute she did not render any aid. Something like that.

However, after Brandt and Bertram's acceptance and grace all of that is gone. I can live with 10 years. I truly hope that the grace Botham's family is showing Amber will penetrate and help her to become a better person. I'm a better person just from watching it live.

The best thing that Amber can do right now is accept the verdict and her sentence. Refuse any offers to appeal either of them. At this point an appeal would be a huge slap in the face to everyone. I truly hope that she can see that and realize how fortunate she is right now.

Oh my gosh. That was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. Love trumps hate. Remarkable.

I'm trying hard to choke down my tears. This is the kind of thing that has the power to change the nation.

I believe you don't have to be religious to feel it. That's pure love and goodness and forgiveness.

That man right there has achieved a level of compassion and ethics and selflessness that I can only aspire to. And he's probably half my age.

18 years old Gitana, can you believe it?
I am astonished, ashamed (of myself) and amazed by him.
Then Botham's Dad wanting to befriend Amber? I mean WOW. What impressive people they all are. What a loss to not have Botham.

It's also totally okay that his mother and sister aren't there yet. Everyone is allowed to feel differently and grieve differently.
However, this young man just showed me a lesson in forgiveness that I will never forget.

I hope one day I am able to be this forgiving. It amazes me.
I have more anger at people who's lies send innocent people to prison... than this man does at the woman who killed his big brother.
I am a very flawed human being. I will try to do better.

 

[turaj]

Boy just saw replay of Ms. Clark testifying about her interaction with Amber...she is a powerful witness and showed people CAN be redeemed. Amber has a friend for life in her.

 

[magnolia]

The actions and words of Judge Tammy and Brandt Botham were exactly the right thing at the right time. I am not sure I could have done the same but I like to think maybe I would have. They are portraits in courage. I don't think the judge was trying to gain anything here. She probably knew there could be backlash. My guess: she may not have considered that at all. All I know: people like her and the Bothams make the world a better place. MOO>

I will never forget the compassion I saw in that court-room. It will stay with me forever. I cannot express how the brother's words and actions touched me and will follow me for the rest of my life.

 

[Weki]

Like I said before, I think the family's show of compassion and forgiveness has a better chance of rehabilitating AG than more time in prison. I still stand by that. However, do I think AG will truly change? I highly doubt it. She's shown herself to be an extremely selfish person on the stand. Her main concern was about herself. She showed little concern for him after she shot him. I find it hard to believe that THAT person will change. In a few weeks what happened yesterday in the courtroom will be forgotten by all of us who will move on to the next outrage. And I can't imagine that it will be imprinted in AG's mind 5 or 7 years from now when she's released from prison. Call me cynical. But at 32 I don't believe people can truly change their character. I also don't rule out that she'll be bitter and angry at her punishment and feel it was undeserved.

 

[Wishbone]

When the sentence came down I was bitterly sad and angry. I was thinking that Amber shouldn't appeal because she's lucky she got off so light.

I had wanted something symbolic. 16 years, one for every door she passed and didn't notice. 26 years for every year that Botham had lived. Or an extra year for every minute she did not render any aid. Something like that.

However, after Brandt and Bertram's acceptance and grace all of that is gone. I can live with 10 years. I truly hope that the grace Botham's family is showing Amber will penetrate and help her to become a better person. I'm a better person just from watching it live.

The best thing that Amber can do right now is accept the verdict and her sentence. Refuse any offers to appeal either. At this point an appeal would be a huge slap in the face to everyone. I truly hope that she can see that and realize how fortunate she is right now.




18 years old Gitana, can you believe it?
I am astonished, ashamed (of myself) and amazed by him.
Then Botham's Dad wanting to befriend Amber? I mean WOW. What impressive people they all are. What a loss to not have Botham.

It's also totally okay that his mother and sister aren't there yet. Everyone is allowed to feel differently and grieve differently.
However, this young man just showed me a lesson in forgiveness that I will never forget.

I hope one day I am able to be this forgiving. It amazes me.
I have more anger at people who's lies send innocent people to prison... than this man does at the woman who killed his big brother.
I am a very flawed human being. I will try to do better.

"When the sentence came down I was bitterly sad and angry. I was thinking that Amber shouldn't appeal because she's lucky she got off so light."

I totally agree, enough said.