Botham Jean – Opinions

Oct. 4, Anna Offit, jury specialist and law professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, for a piece that examined the Amber Guyger panel and advocated for changes in the jury system. Published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: https://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article235803877.html

At a time when revelations of race-based exclusion have threatened to undermine the legitimacy of the American jury system, Amber Guyger’s trial reminds us of the power and potential of this institution.

The jury in Guyger’s prosecution reflected the diversity of the population of Dallas County, and it produced results: a murder conviction and a 10-year sentence for Guyger, a former Dallas police officer who shot dead her unarmed neighbor as he ate ice cream on his couch a year ago. She testified that she mistakenly entered his apartment and mistook him for a burglar.

This outcome was accomplished after an onerous trial that required separation from jurors’ families, attention to wrenching and traumatic video evidence of Botham Jean’s murder, and despite numerous obstacles to participation. . .

Continue reading “Guyger trial demonstrates power of juries. Here’s how we can make them even stronger”

Sept. 30, Chris Jenks, criminal justice professor at SMU Dedman School of law, for a piece framing the legal issues in the Amber Guyger murder trial. Published in Inside Sources: https://www.insidesources.com/in-guyger-case-remember-justice-is-a-process-not-a-desired-outcome/

On September 6, 2018, Amber Guyger entered Botham Jean’s fourth-floor Dallas apartment mistakenly believing it was hers, which was one floor below. Last Friday (Sept. 27, 2019), a little more than a year later, Guyger testified at her trial on murder charges that she thought Jean was burglarizing her apartment. According to Guyger, she pulled and aimed a handgun at Jean and yelled at him to show his hands. She testified that she feared for her life when Jean advanced so she fatally shot him in self-defense.

At the time of the shooting, Guyger was an off-duty Dallas police officer in uniform and armed, returning home after a long workday. Guyger is a white, 5 foot 3 inch, 130-pound woman. Jean was unarmed and eating ice cream in his living room. Jean was a 6 foot 1 inch, 247-pound African-American man.

With emotions and tensions high, and the case heading to jury deliberations, it behooves the community — in Dallas and around the country — to be prepared for the trial’s conclusion. There are a range of possible outcomes, including that the jury may find Guyger guilty, not guilty, or be unable to reach a verdict. . .

Continue reading “In Guyger Case, Remember: Justice Is a Process, Not a Desired Outcome”