Touching Moments in a courtroom can't change the fact that Botham Jean didn't deserve to die!

The actions of a young man show America that there is compassion for murder. Amber Guyger former Dallas police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black man in his own apartment was found guilty of murder. The guilty verdict was a historic moment to many individuals. However, for Botham Jean’s brother, Brandt Jean it was a moment of forgiveness. Brandt Jean surprisingly gave Amber Guyger a hug and told her that he loves her as a person. These actions of an 18-year old brought tears to so many in the courtroom. It shows that there is still forgiveness and compassion in the world. Despite the horrific actions of this police officer shooting and killing his brother, Brandt forgives her. Which is very commendable. It also shows that “Touching moments in a courtroom can’t change the fact that Botham Jean didn’t deserve to die”, as the author of this headline Nana E. Mumford reminds us. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/10/04/conviction-botham-jeans-killer-may-be-historic-story-still-hurts/

There are many others, myself included, feel that the guilty verdict is an outcome that needs to happen more than once since the 1970s. According to Dallas Morning News, this guilty verdict is the first that has happened to a Dallas Police Officer since 1973. This is ridiculous considering the number of blacks killed by police officers on a daily basis. It’s happening headline after headline, story after story, not to mention those stories that are not even reaching the news. Nana Mumford demonstrates in her article how apprehensive we were regarding Guyger’s conviction and sentencing. It was feared that Guyger would not get convicted and be able to avoid responsibility of her stupid, senseless, careless actions. Mumford thoughts as well as America’s facts show that officers across the country rarely are held responsible for killing black men. It was believed that an acquittal would surely follow, and once again confirm that black lives are valued less than others. It makes me so angry and breaks my heart to read and hear the headlines of another black man being shot and killed. I fear every day for my young son and pray that nothing ever happens to him. It is parents' and families worst nightmare to have to bury a child and love one and especially against the very person that gave the oath to protect and serve.

I agree with Mumford and feel that often in these cases we search for clarity on what lessons can be learned. We look at some fact that can validate our world view. Mumford quoted Guyger’s attorney, Toby Shook who said, “This is so unique, you’ll never see this again in the history of the United States. Mumford disagrees as well as myself. I feel that until police officers are held accountable in the system this will continue to happen. Police Officers are shooting first and asking questions later. They are murdering blacks daily and until they are held accountable and punished it will continue. If a police officer shoots and kills an unarmed person they deserve to spend the rest of their life in jail. This action will teach them that we will no longer tolerate Murdering with Badge. As Mumford says, Touching moments in a courtroom can’t change the fact that Botham Jean did not deserve to die.

I also, feel that Guyger should have received a harsher sentencing than ten years. She deserved to go to prison for the rest of her life in my opinion. The fact that she was quoted as making racist remarks on Facebook and Twitter and her co-officers deleting incriminating texts that prove her actions right after the shooting. She did not show remorse, she was bragging and posting pictures praising her actions. If I were on the jury I would not have been lenient on her at all. She deserved the full 99 years in prison for murdering Botham Jean.

Citation:

Mumford, Nana. “Touching moments in a courtroom can’t change the fact that Botham Jean                                  

didn’t deserve to die.”  Washington Post  3 October 2019