News

‘Blacks aren’t criminals’ – Botham Jean’s brother to cops after picking 2019 Ethical Courage Award

Brandt Jean – a brother of a Dallas black man, who was shot and killed by a white cop – has received the 2019 Ethical Courage Award from the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration.

Brandt grabbed the headlines early October when he openly forgave the Dallas cop who murdered his brother, Botham Jean. His action has stirred mixed reactions with many describing him as confused.

During the hearing, Brandt asked the judge for a chance to hug the killer Amber Guyger as she embarks on her 10-year prison sentence – a request the judge granted. The two embraced for a minute.

Brandt hugs Amber Guyger at the sentence hearing in October, 2019 – Pic Credit: Dallas Morning News

After the sentence was announced, Brandt offered Guyger his forgiveness.

“If you truly are sorry, I know I could speak for myself I forgive you and I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you,” Brandt said somberly.

“I love you just like anyone else,” he continued, adding, “and I’m not gonna say I hope you rot and die just like my brother but I personally want the best for you and I wasn’t gonna say this in front of my family or anyone else but I don’t even want you to go jail.”

“I want the best for you because I know that’s what exactly Bothan would want you to do and the best would be to give your life to Christ.”

At the two day-day ethics conference where he was awarded, Jean charged officers to ensure that there will be no other family who will suffer similar fate like his.

“I want you to remember him. I want you to ask yourself what are you doing to ensure that there will be no other families like mine, no other little brothers that have to model ethical leadership in forgiveness of a cop whose lack of training and discipline caused them to carelessly take a life of another.”

Pic Credit: Youtube

“I want you all to know I am not a threat, that young black males are not inherently dangerous or criminal,” he said, entreating those in attendance to keep Botham in their thoughts as they went about their duties.

“I insist that you encourage diverse leadership that can model inclusion and restraint,” he said. “Most importantly, I ask that you remember my brother – my example of ethical leadership, a young black male that was perceived as a threat by one of your own”.

“I’m truly grateful for this award, and I hope others can see the light in what I did,” he concluded.

Guyger murdered Botham in cold blood last year after she ‘mistakenly’ went to his apartment thinking it was hers. When her key did not work, Jean opened the door and was fatally shot.

Guyger was convicted of murder by the jury empanelled after less than 24 hours of deliberation, according to reports

Theodora Aidoo

Theodora Aidoo is a young woman who is passionate about women-related issues. Her Love: To bring to fore the activities of women making a global impact. This stems from her journalism background from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Ghana Institute of Journalism.

Recent Posts

16-year-old Ethiopian Hana Taylor Schlitz breaks sister’s record to become the youngest graduate from TWU

The famous Taylor Schlitz family is making headlines once more as the youngest of the…

9 hours ago

Tahra Grant is reportedly the first Black woman to be Chief Comms Officer at a major Hollywood studio

Sony Pictures Entertainment has appointed Tahra Grant as its Chief Communications Officer. She replaces Robert…

9 hours ago

How Ashley Fox quit her Wall Street job and built a startup to financially empower those Wall Street would never talk to

Meet Ashley M. Fox, the founder of Empify and the first in her family to…

10 hours ago

‘It wasn’t worth it’ – Tyra Banks says the first time she drank alcohol was when she was 50

Tyra Banks, the iconic former host of Dancing With the Stars, has made a delightful…

13 hours ago

Brazilian woman who wheeled dead uncle to bank to withdraw his money is being investigated for manslaughter

A Brazilian woman named Érika de Souza, 42, is under investigation for manslaughter after authorities…

14 hours ago

For the first time, Ghana’s Asante King displays long-lost treasure looted by British forces in 1800s

Ghana’s Asante king Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has unveiled the long-lost treasure of the kingdom…

14 hours ago

Colorado generated $113 million in Deion Sanders’ first season, here’s how

Deion Sanders is a retired American professional football and baseball player who currently coaches at…

15 hours ago

Tiger Woods to receive $100M loyalty reward from PGA Tour: report

Tiger Woods is set to receive $100 million from PGA Tour Enterprises for his loyalty,…

17 hours ago

Jalen Hurts’ $200,000 donation for ACs improves comfort for students in Philadelphia schools

Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback, has shown his affection for the community by contributing…

18 hours ago

Shaq says he spends $1K on pedicures after his mom advised him to paint his toenails: ‘I know my feet stink’

It appears Shaquille O'Neal is willing to go all the way out to pamper his…

19 hours ago

U.S. Army Major found guilty of smuggling guns to Ghana in rice barrels

A U.S. Army Major faces up to 240 months in prison after he was found…

19 hours ago

Brittney Griner reveals she contemplated suicide while in Russian jail: ‘I felt like leaving here so badly’

In her first interview about her conviction in Russia on drug smuggling charges, WNBA star…

19 hours ago

Alison Hammond sells off glamorous old-size clothes after drastic weight loss, all proceeds go to British Liver Trust

The beloved host of This Morning, Alison Hammond, is making headlines by selling off her…

2 days ago

Two female students make history in Michigan earning Boy Scouts’ highest rank: Eagle

Two high school students in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have earned a place in history. The…

2 days ago

Family and friends mourn 36-year-old firefighter who died of heart attack after being laid off

Derek Floyd, a 36-year-old Fire Department of New York probationary fireman, died of a heart…

2 days ago