A Remarkable Act Of Forgiveness
Howdy folks and greetings from the Great Plains of North Texas!
The last couple of weeks we've had a very controversial trial going on right here in Dallas. I'm sure everyone in the U.S. has heard about it but for any foreign readers I'll give you a brief description of the case:
Last year a 31 yr old white female police officer for the city of Dallas got off work after an exhausting 13.5 hour shift and headed home to her apartment.
When she arrived at her door she was alarmed that it was ajar, wasn't even shut, so she immediately thought that there was an intruder in there.
She drew her weapon and went inside, it was dark except for the light of the tv. She said she heard shuffling and a large silhouette approached her. The person was not following her commands. She shot and the person went down.
A tragic error
Then when she looked around she realized that she was not in her apartment! She had parked on the 4th floor parking deck instead of the 3rd floor deck. Her apartment was directly below this one.
She had entered the apartment of a young Black man, Botham Jean, an accountant, by mistake. It was a tragic error on her part, and if he hadn't left his door open she would have realized that she was at the wrong apartment.
Fuel for the activists
You can see why this became a national news story with another unarmed Black man being shot and killed by a white police officer. Of course, here in Texas the debates have been raging all year.
Everyone assumed that she would surely go down for a Manslaughter charge because she didn't go there to kill an innocent person.
How she got the murder charge
However, one sentence got her a murder charge. She was honest when she said that even before she entered the apartment she was going to kill the threat, or what she perceived as the threat. So the jury saw that as admitting intent to murder.
Her strongest supporting testimony actually came from a Black Texas Ranger who explained that she did everything by the book as she was trained to do under the circumstances she believed she was in..but it didn't sway the jury.
The prosecutors were asking for a 28 yr prison sentence, the demonstrators and Black activists outside were screaming for a life sentence.
The jury saw it as a tragic error and mistake and sentenced her to 10 years in prison without the chance of early release or parole.
Her tearful testimony may have helped her, after this nightmare year she said she wished she had been the one shot that night. Here she is being escorted into court:
More controversy of a good kind
Then Botham Jean's brother made national headlines during the victim statement part of the trial.
Here's Botham's brother Brandt:
He said this:
"I hope you go to God with all the guilt, all of the bad things you may have done in the past," Brandt Jean said. "Each and every one of us may have done something that we're not supposed to do. If you truly are sorry - I know I can speak for myself - I forgive you, and I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you."
"I love you just like anyone else, and I'm not going to say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did, but I personally want the best for you, and I wasn't going to ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don't even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you because I know that's exactly what Botham would want you to do, and the best would be give your life to Christ," Brandt Jean said.
"I'm not going to say anything else. I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person, and I don't wish anything bad on you," he tearfully continued.
He then asked Judge Tammy Kemp, "I don't know if this is possible, but can I give her a hug, please?"
It took a few moments as the Judge thought about it but then gave him permission.
He stepped down out of the witness box and she rushed toward him and they embraced for well over a minute, she was sobbing on his shoulder. The cover photo for this post shows that embrace.
That wasn't the end of the controversies
As stunning and amazing as that was, there was more to come. After the trail ended, the judge, Tammy Kemp, went over to consul the Jean family.
Here's Judge Kemp:
After that she went over to Amber who was still sitting at the table, she bent down and said a few words and then left to go to her chambers but shortly returned.
She was carrying a Bible and told Amber that is was her personal Bible and she wanted Amber to have it.
Judge Kemp told Amber, "This is your job for the next 30 days. You start with this. You just need a tiny mustard seed of faith,” the judge said, and gave her some passages to read. The judge and Amber then hugged.
Amber whispered something to the Judge who replied warmly, “Ma’am,” “It’s not because I’m good. It’s because I believe in Christ.”
“You haven’t done so much that you can’t be forgiven,” the judge told her. “You did something bad in one moment in time. What you do NOW matters.”
Of course The Freedom from Religion Foundation who always finds problems where there are none quickly filed a complaint with the Texas judicial commission. That dog ain't gonna hunt in Texas.
This forces self examination
This was one of the most remarkable acts of compassion and love ever seen in a courtroom. Young Brandt Jean walks the walk and his brother Botham, who was a faith-filled Believer, would be very proud of him. I should say IS very proud of him!
But it begs the internal question: could I be as forgiving if I was Botham's brother or family member? Could YOU be?
Thanks for reading folks, God bless you all!
-jonboy
Texas
Mornin’ Cowboy! Would you believe this story hit the news here in Canada. A terrible tragedy for the victim and the police officer. She will have to live with taking an innocent person’s life, albeit a deadly mistake.
There was a controversy about whether this time of display of love and forgiveness was appropriate in a courtroom where someone has committed a felony.
Howdy redheadpei! So the story made it all the way to Canada. lol. Well the whole case has been controversial all the way through so I guess it's appropiate to end controversial too! Do you think the sentence was a good one?
It certainly is a difficult case with the police officer shooting someone she thought was an intruder. But..why shoot to kill?
Why didn’t the man speak up and why did he leave the door open to his apartment?
The whole thing is a terrible tragedy with the loss of the man’s life. I’m glad I wasn’t on the jury.
I agree redheadpei, it was a combination of mistakes that they both made which resulted in tragedy! That would have sucked to be on that jury.
That was a horrible situation for everyone involved. I would like to think that I would always be forgiving, but I know that under different circumstances I would stuggle.
Howdy Melinda! I agree, that was torture.
Hey, that game today wow! Oh I should have checked my email. oh well, I bet you were starting to wonder when the Cowboys started scoring. The Pack's offense took the second half off. lol. That was ONE UGLY game for the cowboys but I'm glad you guys didn't have to suffer through 2 losses in a row.
Oh, the jail was going crazy! Mrs. J was on one of the men's halls and they were yelling and kicking the doors and going nuts! lol. They were so angry!
I can only imagine how angry Cowboys fans were! I hope the Packers get safely out of Texas!
😁
I can only imagine! I hope the Packers get safely out of Texas!
😁
A remarkable story Mr. J. and a fine example to all of us in a world where there is so much hatred and so little compassion.
Howdy deirdyweirdy! I agree, it was so shocking, especially to the haters demonstrating in the streets, they wanted the death penalty to make up for the other unjust shootings by white officers. But young Brandt showed what real love looks like.
That's a very remarkable story. I struggle deeply with a situation close to home so I know I could not show that sort of compassion.
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Howdy paulag! I understand and I'm sorry to hear that you went through something so painful. I truly believe that most of us wouldn't be able to even think about forgiveness unless many years had passed. If then!
Yea my friends wife killed their 3 year old last year. Suffocation . They have another child that is 2 now. She has been released on bail, the hearing is this month. She is obviously being charged with murder but my friend, he forgives her and wants his son to have a mother. A bit nuts really and I struggle deeply with it. I have tried to stand by my friend and I dont let him know how I feel. Many others wont support him supporting her at all, even her family. Some people just have amazing compassion.
Oh my gosh! That is amazing. I can see why you are torn to support your friend but what an unforgivable(to us humans) crime!
I think she's going to be serving time and won't be able to help raise the 2 yr old anyway. Wow. Very disturbing but he had great compassion indeed!
after spending just over a year in a mental hospital, there is a chance she will walk free. It's a bit nuts. so nuts I still can't get my head around it all. Under the current bail conditions, she is not allowed home, but she is allowed to see her other child under supervised conditions. If the case goes ahead this month, it will be an intersting month....
Oh if that trial happens it's going to be another controversial one, will they be charging her with murder? But your friend wants to give her another chance, that's amazing.
Hello janton, as I do not follow the news very much this story was new to me. Maybe the police training needs to re-think their training round impressionable cadets and certainly need to re-consider the effects of long shifts on police officers.
Would I forgive? Spiritually I know and believe that forgiving is the only way to let it really let go to move forward. So yes I would forgive.
Howdy angiemitchell! I think it had been about one year since this happened so in that length of time I hope I would be able to at least try to forgive.
Well what was so controversial about this case is that she did exactly what she was trained to do which is to stop what she thought was a deadly threat. So I doubt if they will be changine their training but I agree about the long shifts, they never help anyone.
It's probably a situation of chronically being understaffed because not enough people want to be police. Mrs. J works in another area of law enforcement and they have the same problems, long shifts and constantly understaffed, they can't hire enough people, no one wants to work with criminals.
What a terrible bind janton. How quickly someone's life's journey can change and not always in the best and happiest way. Lessons are always being learned.
Yes, one moment you have a great job and the next you are on trial for murder! Both parties made tragic mistakes. How could she get the wrong apartment but then why in the world would he leave his door open? Two common mistakes that lead to tragedy.
Many people from that apartment complex said they had gone to the wrong apartment because everything looks the same.
Wow Janton. This is the first I have heard of this. Thank-you for sharing this incredible story. It's crazy though cops just shouldn't shoot ppl, geez ❤
Howdy yogajill! I know, it seems like way too many people get shot. It should only be in self defense and if they can't use a taser. Too bad she didn't have a taser she could have used. They had riots planned if she got off too light so at least that was avoided. Thanks so much for commenting!
Hey @janton!! This is definitely an emotional case. The problems I have with anything of this nature is how it turns into something else. I don't understand how someone would not respond to a police officer if they are threatening to shoot. It happens time and time again and end in tragedy. The other is how it always turns to race. It clearly was not a factor in this case, but it was twisted into it. She was tired and adrenaline started to surge when she saw the door. Then the person inside didn't respond to her or listen.
Botham's brother is amazing. His heart and his humanity. I think this is a start. The hardest part in situations like this is you know the individual is not going to commit another crime and is not going to be a danger to the public yet does need to serve her punishment. I am feeling disconnected again. My thinking just doesn't go with what society thinks.
Howdy tryskele! Well I think you are really close to what the majority of people think about this case. people knew she made a tragic mistake and had to pay some price but it got confusing for the jury when the prosecution claimed that she shot him while he was sitting on the couch and not coming toward her like she said.
But I agree it's just amazing how people don't follow the command of an officer when they have their gun pointed at them! Even if it's in your own apartment.
The Texas Ranger gave a great description of what happens to an officer in that type of situation where they get tunnel vision and can't accurately think things out, all they see is a perceived threat and they're trained to eliminate that threat.
But it WAS disturbing to see the activists turning it into a story about race, which it clearly wasn't. The prosecutors even tried to do that.
Do you think the sentence was fair, 10 years with no parole?
I have tried to answer this on a few occasions @janton. I have to admit I honestly don't know. I know Texas has some pretty strict laws in a broad capacity. Obviously, she never set out to do this and the amount of remorse almost immediately shows the type of person she is. It's sad to think that life can change so drastically so quickly.
I'm not sure I agree with no parole. Again, I am not sure that jail is the right course of action in this case. Just like when someone is killed in a car accident and charged with manslaughter. Where is it beneficial to have someone like that in jail? If they pose a threat to society I am all for jail. It's when life happens I am not so sure. I completely understand wanting someone to pay for the death of another. I have been through that myself. With that situation though, 6 people on 1 and he was stabbed 10 times along with friends who were there and his wife. He was the only one who lost his life. Because the guy was 16 he was sentenced as a juvenile. He laughed through out the proceedings that he was going to be out and have a life and his family is fucked.
I know this sounds crazy I am for the death penalty in some cases. I do think that the prosecution needs to be 200% sure that the person being executed is guilty. That there is no doubt at all. There are even times I think an eye for an eye philosophy might help. Some people cannot be rehabilitated.
Oh we think exactly the same on this issue! I'm for the death penalty if they know for certain of the person's guilt. That is part of a society's stability, you have to have strong punishment for murder.
Too many criminals don't care if they have to spend time in jail but they don't want to die there, so it's a deterrent. Plus it's Biblical and the way God set things up.
How many years did that juvenile get? That's infuriating.. his behavior!
Oh, I don't know about the "no parole" aspect of the Amber Guyger case either, that's a little too harsh I think.
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That young man sure shows a lot of restraint! I am not sure I would have been so forgiving. Hard to find real justice when issues like these are so often sensationalized. Thanks for sharing @janton!
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Howdy sir badger! I agree, they set out to make this about race from the start, which it clearly wasn't. I don't think Amber even knew the victim was black until after she shot him. Highly controversial from start to finish though and I agree about the victim's brother, wow! Maybe in a few years I could forgive! maybe. lol.