Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was indicted on a murder charge Friday, Nov. 30, for the shooting of 2016 Harding alumni Botham Jean.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 6, Jean was killed in his Dallas apartment by Guyger, who was off-duty but still in uniform. Guyger told authorities she had mistaken Jean\u2019s apartment for her own, which was directly one floor above Jean\u2019s, and thought there was a burglar in her home.<\/p>\n
Guyger was initially charged with manslaughter. Texas Penal Code defines manslaughter as an offense that \u201crecklessly causes the death of an individual.\u201d Two months after her arrest, Guyger\u2019s indictment has changed to the charge of murder, defined to involve \u201cintentionally or knowingly [causing] the death of an individual.\u201d According to Texas Monthly, indictments of police officers are extremely rare. Between 2008 and 2012, grand juries considered 81 cases involving 175 officers but indicted only one.<\/p>\n
Jean\u2019s family expressed to local media that, while the indictment offered little joy, it did provide temporary peace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really are not happy, but we take consolation,\u201d Jean\u2019s father, Bertrum, told Dallas News. \u201cWe take comfort in this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Todd Gentry, a minister at College Church of Christ and friend of the Jean family, agreed that the indictment provides some consolation. Gentry and members of his family have frequently communicated with the Jean family since their son\u2019s death.<\/p>\n
\u201cBotham\u2019s dad and I have both said, as soon as the indictment comes out, it\u2019s time to pray for [Guyger],\u201d Gentry said.<\/p>\n
Though Gentry said he was initially pleased when he heard about Guyger\u2019s indictment, he explained that the situation is still challenging. If convicted of murder, Guyger could face a sentence as little as five years or as much as life in prison.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if it was a mistake, we still need to ensure that we value life,\u201d Gentry said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to condemn her soul, \u2026 but at least they\u2019re going to do something for this human life that was taken.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gentry added that while the indictment is a step toward legal justice, the process will likely continue for several years before it reaches final resolution. Until then, he said he hopes Jean\u2019s story initiates further conversation about race and prejudice on campus and across the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur conversations should always be, \u2018How do we stand up for people?\u2019\u201d Gentry said. \u201cThat\u2019s one thing that Botham\u2019s life shows us too.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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