McKenna Mitchell

What are some of your thoughts on the case?

Not many details of how the fatal shooting went down were given.  From the texts back and forth between Guyger and her colleges, I do not think she was a racist. Do I think what she said in those texts was appropriate? No, I do not. Many people jump to the conclusion that all white-on-black crimes are an act of racism, which I do not believe is true.

Do you think if the roles were reversed (an African American officer shooting a Caucasian woman) the sentencing would be the same?

I do not think the sentencing would be the same, nor would the press coverage. White-on-black crime is a hot topic for debate and news, so the coverage and outrage is much higher. You rarely see many cases of African-American crimes against Caucasians and other races in the press. I do not think the sentencing would be the same because it wouldn’t have the same pressure from the community to convict.

Do you believe that with Amber Guyger’s sentence justice was served? 

Guyger was sentenced to ten years in prison, which I think was just. Botham Jean was killed. We know that for a fact, but we do not know her motive, if there was any behind it. The jury could only base its decision on testimonies and her side of the story, so I do think ten years is a just and fair sentence.