Prosecutors told jurors on Monday that former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was exchanging text messages with a colleague in the minutes before she fatally shot Botham Jean in his own apartment.
Guyger’s murder trial began Monday, a little over a year after the shooting. She has said she mistook Jean’s apartment for her own after a long shift and fired because she believed he was an intruder. Prosecutors argue her account does not add up. Assistant District Attorney Jason Hermus said Guyger made a series of unreasonable decisions in the final minutes of Jean’s life, and that she was alert enough to be texting a fellow officer named Martin that night, according to Fox News.
Before opening statements, both sides argued over whether the messages could be used. Judge Tammy Kemp ruled the text conversation between Guyger and Martin could be admitted as evidence. Prosecutors also said some messages were deleted after the shooting, though it was not clear when. Martin said he deleted his because it was not something he wanted to be reminded of.
Hermus also told the jury that Guyger worked overtime that day but was mostly stationed in an office, and that she passed several clear signs she was on the wrong floor, including a bright red doormat outside Jean’s door that hers did not have. He added that, as a police officer, she should have tended to Jean after the shooting. Guyger has said she should have helped him and should not have been texting.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks, and the defense has told jurors Guyger is likely to testify.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
The justice system crazy, I forgot all about this case, she should’ve been went to trial. The messed up part is she really did no time in jail because she got bonded out immediately after the fact. She got a black judge and the jury has 5 blacks and 5 latinos, all young so if she’s not convicted we know it’s no hope for future cases like this
Agreed. Letsnhope justice is served.