‘I don’t even want you to go jail’ – Botham Jean’s brother forgives and hugs ex-cop as she gets 10 years for his killing

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who killed Botham Jean in his apartment, has been given a 10-year jail term.

Guyger, 31, was found guilty of murder Tuesday for fatally shooting Jean who was her neighbour last year.

She would be eligible for parole in five years, CNN reports.

S. Lee Merritt, Jean’s family attorney, slammed the sentencing as “inadequate.” “Of course that’s inadequate. The entire justice system is inadequate and the work must continue,” he wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Dallas District Attorney John Creuzot expressed satisfaction with the verdict even though he was expecting a longer sentence.

“We’re going to move on and Botham’s family is moving on,” he said.

The final day of the sentencing witnessed emotional scenes as the jury slapped Guyger with a 10-year jail term for the murder of Jean. 

After the sentence was announced, Jean’s younger brother 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 “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.”

Brandt proceeded to ask the judge for a chance to hug Guyger as she embarks on her 10-year prison sentence – a request the judge granted. The two embraced for a minute.

Brandt’s action has stirred mixed reactions on social many describing him as confused.

Guyger murdered Jean 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. 

The jurors were asked to decide whether or not Guyger acted reasonably in fatally shooting Jean, allowing them the option of convicting her to a lesser offense of manslaughter.

The verdict of the jurors brings an end to a case that has roiled national attention and sparked anger among black people. Most of them hold a skeptical view of the American criminal justice system as evidence abounds of its discriminatory nature against blacks and people of color.

Guyger, who is white, in her testimony to the court, said she parked on the wrong floor of the Dallas apartment complex where she lives on September 6, 2018. She then walked to the apartment which belonged to Jean who was black and shot him on the assumption that he was an intruder.

Guyger was off-duty but in uniform when she heinously shot twice at Jean, striking him in the chest in his apartment which she mistook for hers.

Jean, a 26-year old graduate of Harding University in Arkansas and a risk assurance associate, died later in a hospital.

The news of his death resulted in the call for disarming of the police, with mourners holding up banners reading “Disarm off duty police,” “Life is not a white privilege” and “Where is justice when police kill us?”