Botham-Jean-judge-Amber-Guyger-hug-sorry-twitter
Botham-Jean-judge-Amber-Guyger-hug-sorry-twitter
Source: WFAA

Judge on Botham Jean Murder Trial Under Fire For Hugging Amber Guyger

 Judge Tammy Kemp came down from the bench, spoke with Guyger, gave her a Bible, and hugged her.

On Wednesday, October 2nd, ex-Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the shooting death of Botham Jean.  Emotions were high.

According to reports, there was a mixture of boos and cheers outside of the courtroom.

Inside of the courtroom, Botham's brother Brandt Jean hugged and forgave Guyger, saying:

I'm not going to say I hope you rot and die, just like my brother — I personally want the best for you...I wasn't going to say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don't even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you, because I know that's exactly what Botham would want.

READ: A Manipulation Of Black Innocence: Botham Jean & How Black People Are Wrong Even When They're Not

Then something strange happened: Judge Tammy Kemp came down from the bench, spoke and then embraced some of Jean's family members. She then spoke with Guyger, gave her a Bible, and hugged her also.

 The gesture had a highly divisive reaction on social media:

READ: Ex-Cop Amber Guyger Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for the Shooting Death of Botham Jean

Jean's parents had a more complicated reaction to Guyger's sentence. Bertrum Jean, the father of Botham Jean, said he wanted a more severe sentence for Guyger. But, also added that he agreed with Brandt about forgiving her, saying "I don’t want to see her rot in hell. I don’t want to see her rot in prison.”

In an interview with CBS News, Botham's mother, Allison Jean, said about Brandt forgiving her: "What he did today, was remarkable, and he did it all on his own...What Brandt did was to cleanse his heart towards Amber … I do not want it to be misconstrued as a complete forgiveness of everybody."

In another interview, she also called out police corruption.

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