*A lot of folks are going to be thrilled to hear what happened in Dallas today. A now former Dallas police department officer, Amber Guyger, who shot an killed a man in his own apartment because she thought he had broken into her unit has been indicted for murder.
The indictment of Guyger comes more than two months after she was arrested in the shooting death of Botham Shem Jean at the Dallas apartment complex where both lived — a killing that sparked days of protests.
The case was taken over and investigated by the Texas Rangers who arrested and charged Guyger with manslaughter, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson said at a news conference.
When asked why the grand jury indicted Guyger on the escalated charge of murder, Johnson replied, “We presented the evidence and we explained the law.”
DA Johnson went on to explain that murder constitutes someone “intentionally and knowingly” committing a crime, whereas manslaughter involves “recklessly doing something.”
“At the moment of the shooting it was a knowing … offense,” Johnson said.
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It’s worth noting that legal some experts think it would have been better to move for a manslaughter indictment which is much easier to get a conviction for that one for murder, especially for an officer or ex-officer.
Meanwhile, neither Guyger or her lawyer could not be immediately contacted for comment. She had already been arrested again and released on bond, Johnson said at the news conference.
Dallas Police Chief U. Reneè Hall said in a statement everyone in the department “continues to feel anguish about this difficult and tragic event.”
“We recognize and understand the national discord regarding the relationship between law enforcement and the communities we serve,” Hall said.
She also added that the department has “developed a framework for policy change” by restructuring the Citizen Review Board, revamping implicit bias training and seeking input from employee advisory and community advisory boards.
“We have more work to do and we remain committed to improving our relationships throughout the city,” Hall said.
The indictment is a “step toward justice” for Jean’s family, said Sharon Watkins Jones, ACLU of Texas Director of Political Strategies.
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