POWERFUL: Botham Jean's Brother Forgives, Offers Christ, and Embraces Police Officer Who Killed His Brother
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- [Mark] This panicfilled scene in September
of last year after former
Dallas Police officer Amber Guyger
shot and killed an innocent Mark,
Botham Jean, in his own apartment
resulted in this sentence.
- [Judge] 10 years imprisonment
in the Texas departmentof criminal justice.
- [Mark] Guyger said she thought
she had walked into her own apartment.
CBN reporter Amber Strong reported
on the tragedy
and the response by Jean's church.
- I've interviewed his friends,
his ministers.
I talked to his teachers.
I talked to his employers,
and it was all a consistent message,
that Botham jean was a servant.
That he was kind from theleast to the greatest.
- [Mark] The 10 year sentence
with the possibility of parole
after five is far less
than the 99 years in prison Guyger faced.
Outside the court house
the sentence sparked protests
and intense confrontations.
(crowd yelling)
And Jean's mother spokeout against the police.
- If Amber Guyger was trained
not to shoot in the heart,
my son would be standing here today.
- But inside the courtroom,
Botham Jean's brother,
18 year old Brandt Jean,
showed tremendous forgiveness
toward Guyger after thesentence was imposed.
- I forgive you.
And I know if you go to God and ask him
he will forgive you.
I want the best for you
because I know that's what,
that's exactly what Botham would want too.
And the best would begive your life to Christ.
- [Mark] Then an amazing show
of grace that attorneys,
court employees and reporters said
they've never seen in all their years.
- I don't know if it's possible,
but can I give her a hug please?
Please.
- [Judge] Yes.
- [Mark] After Brandt Jean hugged
the sobbing former officer,
another remarkable show of love.
State district judge Tammy Kemp
gave Guyger a Bible
and directed her to read John 3:16,
and even hugged her as well.
- The district attorneysaid Brandt Jean's act
was an amazing act ofhealing and forgiveness
that should guide thecommunity going forward.
Mark Martin, CBN News.