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Dallas police officer, Amber Guyger was found guilty for murder after killing an unarmed black man. The 31-year-old was on trial for seven days for shooting 26-year-old Botham Jean in his own apartment. She mistakenly entered Jean’s apartment thinking it was her unit which was one floor below. She believed he was burglarizing her home.
Moments later upon entering the apartment, Jean who was watching TV and eating ice cream in his own apartment was on the ground fighting for his life after he was shot in the chest.
NBC reports:
The jury was tasked with deciding whether or not Guyger, 31, acted reasonably when she used deadly force, and if the prosecution had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that she intentionally killed Jean or if a lesser charge of manslaughter, which involves reckless conduct, was warranted.
Deliberations began Monday afternoon after a weeklong trial, which included the playing of the 911 call that Guyger made after shooting Jean and dramatic bodycam video from officers who responded to the scene.
Guyger told jurors while testifying:
“I never wanted to take an innocent person’s life. I’m so sorry. This is not about hate — it’s about being scared.”
Prosecutors argued that the off-duty police officer should have noticed she was on the wrong floor. Also stating, “She was at fault for missing several clues that she was on the wrong floor and went to the wrong apartment, including a red doormat that Jean’s apartment had and hers did not.”
She could face anywhere between 5 and 99 years.