Amber Guyger Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Killing Neighbor Botham Jean
Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer found guilty for fatally shooting her unarmed neighbor in his apartment, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.
According to NBC News, Guyger, 31, learned her fate after a sentencing hearing that included emotional testimony from the family of the victim, Botham Jean, and revelations that she shared racist and offensive texts and social media posts.
In a dramatic victim’s impact statement, Jean’s brother, Brandt Jean, forgave Guyger and embraced her in court, saying that this is what Botham would have wanted and she should give her life to Christ.
Then Jeans’ mother, Allison Jean, had testified Tuesday that she still struggles with the trauma of her son’s death, saying: “I cannot sleep. I cannot eat. It’s just been the most terrible time for me.”
Guyger did not testify during her sentencing, but she has the opportunity to appeal the conviction in the unique case, which has gripped the city of Dallas and shattered the idea that law-abiding residents can be safe in their own homes.
The jury was allowed to consider whether Jean’s death was the result of “sudden passion,” which meant Guyger acted in the heat of the moment. It carried a lesser sentence of two to 20 years behind bars.
During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Guyger’s mother, Karen Guyger, 66, testified that her daughter was distraught after killing Jean.
“She feels very bad about it,” Karen Guyger said through tears.
After hearing her fate, Guyger was taken into custody at the end of the first day of the sentencing phase. She was booked into the Dallas County Jail.
