YouTube Brandt Jean, Botham Jean’s brother, hugs Amber Guyger in court.

Brandt Jean, the brother of slain St. Lucian businessman Botham Jean, hugged former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger in a Texas courtroom after a jury sentenced her to 10 years in prison. It was an extraordinary moment that led to sobs in court after Brandt told Guyger that he forgives and loves her, asking her to turn to Christ.

After the emotional statement of forgiveness, Jean asked the remarkable question of the judge. “I don’t know if this is possible but can I give her a hug please? Please?” he inquired from the witness stand, where he was giving a victim impact statement after Guyger’s sentencing. The judge allowed it, and Jean embraced Guyger in a lengthy hug. You can watch the moment on video below. Throughout excruciating testimony, the Jean family has served as an elegant and moving reminder of the promise and potential that was lost when Guyger shot and killed Bothan Jean after she said she mistakenly went into his apartment, thinking it was her own. Prosecutors had argued she should have known she was entering the wrong apartment. A jury agreed, finding her guilty of murder instead of a lesser manslaughter charge.

Brandt Jean’s hug was an act of true forgiveness from the family of a man whose Christian faith was described in great detail to the jury that convicted Guyger of murder and, then, sentenced her to 10 years in prison for his shooting death. Botham Jean was deeply connected to his Christian and known for his singing in church. A video of him singing in church was even presented previously in the sentencing.

Here’s the video:

Kaley Johnson@KaleyAJohnson

 · 27m

Replying to @KaleyAJohnson

A rally was already scheduled outside the courthouse for 6:30 tonight. Now being referred to as a protest.

Wow. Room quieted out in the media scrum as Brandt Jean asked to hug Amber Guyger. Powerful moment.

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5:37 PM – Oct 2, 2019

 

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Here’s the full video of today’s sentencing phase, which includes the Brandt Jean/Guyger moment toward the end.

The same jury that convicted Guyger handed down her sentence after a sentencing hearing that involved witnesses from both the prosecution and the defense, including Guyger’s family members. Guyger did not testify during the sentencing. While her attorneys asked for leniency, prosecutors asked for a sentence of at least 28 years. Guyger, 31, will have to serve at least half of the sentence before she is eligible to parole. She faced from 5 to 99 years in prison. Her time in prison will begin immediately even if Guyger appeals the verdict and her sentence. She had been out on bail during the trial, but was taken into custody and spent the night in jail after being convicted.

After Brandt Jean’s emotional statement, and as the courtroom cleared, Judge Tammy Kemp, walked down from the bench to meet with Guyger. She also hugged the former Dallas police officer and gave her a Bible, reading her a passage: John 3:16.

The passage reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”

Here’s what you need to know:

Brandt Jean Told Amber Guyger That His Brother Botham Would Want Her to Give Her Life to Christ

Prosecution photoA photo of Botham Shem Jean presented at sentencing.

This is the statement Jean gave to the court before he asked to hug Amber Guyger:

“I don’t want to say twice or for the hundredth time how much you’ve taken from us. I think you know that. But I just…I hope you go to God with all the guilt, all the bad things you may have done in the past. Each and every one of us may have done something we’re not supposed to do. If you truly are story, I speak for myself, I forgive you. If you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you. And I don’t think anyone can say, I’m speaking for myself…but I love you just like everyone else. And I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die just like my brother did, I personally want the best for you. And 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. I want the best for you. Because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do and the best would be to give your life to Christ… I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again I love you as a person. I don’t wish anything bad on you.”