Protests and prayers Wednesday night in the wake of Amber Guyger sentence
She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the protesters believe that wasn't enough.
The brother of the victim said in court that he forgave Guyger and hugged her in the courtroom.
Even the judge was crying. It was a sad case, to be sure, but is 10 years a strong enough punishment to fit the crime? If she wasn't a police officer, would the case have been handled any differently?
DALLAS — Hours after a jury handed down a verdict of 10 years in prison to Amber Guyger for murdering Botham Jean, two very different reactions took place in Dallas.
While one group came together to protest downtown, Jean's family joined with community members in prayer at a local church.
Activists and protesters gathered around 6:30 p.m. at the Frank Crowley Courts building where Guyger was sentenced, ready to protest the sentence in a "movement for justice."
“I feel like we have a dog bite with the murder conviction, but the dog has no teeth," Dr. Frederick Haynes said of Guyger's 10-year sentence.
“If we can’t get justice, there won’t be no Texas OU game, there won’t be a State Fair, I’ll shut the whole thing down,” activist Domonique Alexander told the crowd.
She was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the protesters believe that wasn't enough.
The brother of the victim said in court that he forgave Guyger and hugged her in the courtroom.
Brandt told Guyger he forgave her, and he believed God would as well.
"If you truly are sorry, I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you. I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you," he said.
He then asked for permission to hug Guyger, a request that was granted by Judge Tammy Kemp before Kemp herself gave Guyger a hug and her own Bible to read in prison.
Even the judge was crying. It was a sad case, to be sure, but is 10 years a strong enough punishment to fit the crime? If she wasn't a police officer, would the case have been handled any differently?