{UAH} Ocen, Allan// Black man hugs white cop who killed his brother

Folks;

This scene at a Texas courtroom - where the brother of a black man hugs the white cop convicted in his killing - is strong reminder that black people carry with them the bottomless capacity to forgive.

Shortly after he was released from political imprisonment, Nelson Mandela was asked why he was not bitter at the white South Africans who had put in jail for 27 years. 

His response might explain what happened in this Texas courtroom: "If I hold any grudge or bitterness, I still remain their prisoner." 

In my entire life, I have never seen a similar incident where the villain is black, and his white victim's family extended such a forgiving hand. 

Pojim

How many years will Amber Guyger stay in prison? That could depend on Botham Jean's family

 Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY,USA TODAY 8 hours ago 

 

 

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Scroll baeartfelt courtroom hug exchanged by former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger and the brother of the man she killed provided a touching conclusion to a unique case that captured the attention of the Metroplex and parts of the nation.

The moment might also wind up as the first step in Guyger's eventual return to freedom.

Guyger, 31, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Wednesday after being convicted of murder for the September 2018 killing of Botham Jean, a neighbor who was eating ice cream in his apartment directly above hers when she entered what she thought was her unit, mistook him for a burglar and shot him dead.

Texas law stipulates murder convicts aren't eligible for parole until serving at least half their sentence, meaning Guyger will be locked up for a minimum of five years.

'I want the best for you': Botham Jean's brother hugs Amber Guyger in emotional courtroom scene

What happens after that depends on a number of factors to be considered by the parole board. One of them is the recommendation by family members of the victim.

Ed Cox, whose Cox Law Firm outside Dallas regularly handles parole cases, said the board gives a fair amount of weight to letters from relatives of both the victim and the offender when pondering an early release.

"If his brother decides to support her release on parole, I think the board would absolutely consider that,'' Cox said. "And I would expect that lawyers for her if she's represented before the board would reach out to his family and seek to gain their support.''

It's much too early to tell how the Jean family might react in five years, but the message of forgiveness from Botham's younger brother, Brandt, in delivering his victim impact statement Wednesday was downright moving.

Making it clear he was speaking for himself, not necessarily his relatives, Brandt declined to chastise Guyger and instead offered his forgiveness.

"I wasn't going to ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don't even want you to go to jail,'' said Brandt Jean, who, at 18, is 10 years younger than Botham would have been now. "I want the best for you.''

Then, after asking State District Judge Tammy Kemp for permission, he exchanged a prolonged embrace with Guyger and both whispered to each other as sobs could be heard in the courtroom.

Later, Guyger also received a hug from Kemp, further illustrating the emotional aspect of a case that carried racial overtones – Guyger is white and Botham Jean was black – but ultimately boiled down to a terrible mistake with tragic consequences.

Guilty verdict: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighbor's shooting

Guilty verdict: Dallas ex-cop Amber Guyger convicted of murder in neighb... Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was found guilty in the murder trial of Botham Jean, her neighbor she ...

Guyger was facing a sentence of between five and 99 years, although Kemp had allowed the jury to consider a "sudden passion'' defense, which could have brought down the minimum to two years. Prosecutors had requested at least 28 years.

Besides the family statements, Cox said the amount of time she actually spends behind bars will hinge on Guyger's behavior in prison and whether she takes advantage of opportunities for self-improvement while she's there.

"There is an expectation that she conducts herself well, abides by the rules and seeks to better herself so she can successfully reintegrate into society,'' Cox said, adding that being a former cop with a previously clean record should also work in Guyger's favor, especially considering board members often have a background in law enforcement.