The Amber Guyger trial remains a flashpoint for issues regarding race and violence in the United States
October 29, 2019
On September 6, 2018, a little over a year ago, Dallas police officer Amber Guyger fatally shot an unarmed African-American, Botham Jean, in his apartment at the building where they both lived. Guyger alleged that she had thought she was entering her own apartment and that Jean was an intruder.
When the story was originally reported, it caused public outrage. Americans were quick to choose sides between blue and black lives. After a long trial, Guyger’s murder trial recently came to a close. The jury took 90 minutes to sentence Amber Guyger to her most serious offense, murder. The next day, the jury sentenced her to ten years in prison.
Yet issues regarding race and violence continue to permeate American culture, and the Guyger case will not soon be forgotten.
The students, faculty, and officer listed below were asked to read a short article from The New York Times and answer a few questions about their thoughts on the sentencing.
What are some of your thoughts on the case?
Tragic, very strange case. When I first heard about it I thought it will be hard to figure out what actually happened. I still feel this way for the most part.
Do you think if the roles were reversed (An African American officer shooting a Caucasian woman) the sentencing would be the same?
This is very difficult to say. Like I said, this was a very strange case with many questions, like why the officer didn’t realize she was in the wrong apartment and how could she ignore all of the things that would have alerted her to the fact that she was in the wrong apartment. I think those questions still loom large in people’s minds, and I think they make it hard to completely judge the defendant, i.e. the officer, even if the officer was African-American. Generally, males are treated harsher than females, so if it were a male officer that was African-American perhaps the sentencing would be harsher, but I can’t say for sure.
Do you believe that with Amber Gruyger’s sentence justice was served?
I hate to keep saying that it’s hard to say, but that’s how I truly feel. Being found guilty of murder means that she intended to kill Jean, which I think is accurate and therefore she should serve the required sentence for that. However, I am having a hard time believing that that is why she entered his apartment. At some point she made a decision to kill him and she has to be accountable, but if someone entered another person’s apartment with the sole purpose of killing that person, then they should receive the maximum penalty. Guyger received the minimum sentence for her crime, which may be appropriate. Again, it is a very strange case and I still have many questions.
What are some of your thoughts on the case?
What happened was an absolute tragedy. I do not understand how something like that could happen. I was perplexed when I first heard the story break, and I was rather shocked at the sentencing. I felt like the defense had a story that was fabricated, and I struggled with the sentencing, to be quite honest.
Do you think if the roles were reversed (an African-American officer shooting a Caucasian woman) the sentencing would be the same?
In 2019, I would like to believe that we are past seeing color. However, I would most likely say that if the roles were reversed the verdict would have been much more serious.
Do you believe that with Amber Guyger’s sentence justice was served?
I think about other murder sentences. I see how much time they get in jail, whether it is life in prison, life without parole, or in some cases get the death penalty. To me, it is shocking to think that an innocent person’s life was taken away and the murderer receives such little time. So no, I do not believe justice was served.
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.
What are some of your thoughts on the case?
As a police officer, I feel Amber Guyger should have backed away from the entry door of the apartment. Guyger, who was still in uniform at the time of the incident, had her police radio and should have requested back-up prior to entry. None of the lives involved in this will ever be the same, and tragedies such as this should never repeat themselves.
Do you think if the roles were reversed (an African-American officer shooting a Caucasian woman) the sentencing would be the same?
The sentencing was left to the jury, so it’s hard to predict the outcome if their roles were reversed.
Do you believe that with Amber Guyger’s sentence justice was served?
I believe justice was served. However, the sentence was light for a murder conviction. I expected that Guyger would have received a longer sentence for fatally shooting Botham Jean, who was unarmed.
What are some of your thoughts on the case?
The case is not a testament or example of progress in this country but rather highlights the reluctant serving of a small amount, if there is one, of justice. It’s just a different version of what we’re used to seeing with these high profile police cases.
Do you think if the roles were reversed (an African-American officer shooting a Caucasian woman) the sentencing would be the same?
If it was a black officer, the man would have been sentenced to life or death row already, and nothing could change my mind — especially if it was a black male shooting a white woman. There would be no hugs, no mercy, nothing — just the cold, raw, and heartless prosecution of another black man in America.
Do you believe that with Amber Guyger’s sentence justice was served?
Who am I to say what justice is? I don’t believe the criminal justice system in America is designed to give black people justice. We get justifications and explanations. I was not surprised, but this is God’s plan, and what is meant to be will happen and what is real will prosper, but to answer bluntly, no, I don’t believe justice was served.
Jordan Atkins is a senior at NASH. She shows her Tiger pride every year on the school's varsity swimming and diving team. When not in the water, you can find Jordan teaching at Gymkhana Gymnastics or helping lead her church's elementary and middle school level youth programs. Politics are her thing, and she is very passionate about them. One day she will travel the world, but until then, you can catch...
