A former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger has been sentenced to 10 years by the jury. One day after she was found guilty of murder for the shooting death of her unarmed neighbor. The 31-year-old claims that she thought she was entering her own apartment when she opened fire. Criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor Nicole DeBorde joins CBSN with more.
Guyger, 31, was off duty but still in uniform when she mistakenly went into Jean’s apartment and shot him. She is claiming self-defense because she thought she was in her own apartment and believed Jean was going to attack her.
The former officer was initially taken into custody on a manslaughter charge but was later indicted on a murder charge.
BREAKING: Judge reads out sentence of 10 years in prison for Amber Guyger for the wrong-apartment murder of Botham Jean. https://t.co/sWaPUtS0kj pic.twitter.com/EZsOKZK8pw
— ABC News (@ABC) October 2, 2019
A crowd outside of the courtroom started screaming even before the sentencing was read.
Supporters of #BothamJean family chant NO JUSTICE NO PEACE as they exit the courtroom. #AmberGuyger was sentenced to 10 years. She’ll be parole eligible after 5. @CourtTV pic.twitter.com/F9fBiwwsep
— Chanley Shá Painter (@ChanleyCourtTV) October 2, 2019
Amber Guyger only gets 10 years for murdering Botham Jean. Just ask yourself honestly if the situation was reversed do you think Mr. Jean would have only gotten 10 years? So once again the justice system proves it isn’t just for all.
— Robert Littal (@BSO) October 2, 2019
They just sentenced racist murderer Amber Guyger to a weak ass 10 years in prison
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) October 2, 2019