The former Dallas police officer who was convicted of murdering an unarmed black man, Botham Jean, in his apartment admitted that she was a racist.
Following Tuesday's guilty verdict, jurors were presented with text messages and social media messages from Amber Guyger in which she insensitively jokes about black people during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. "Just push them…or spray your pepper spray in that general area," Guyger said in a message regarding the crowd that gathered to celebrate the Civil Rights leader.
In another text message, Guyger openly stated her racism. "Although she may be racist," the person texted Guyger, to which Guyger responded, "It’s okay.. I’m the same."
Jurors were also shown Guyger's Pinterest account where she posted several memes about killing people. Initially, her attorney objected to the jury seeing these messages. Her lawyer felt the information would unfairly sway them into giving her a harsher sentence. But after reviewing the material, Judge Tammy Kemp overruled the objection.
Jean's mother, Allison Jean, took the stand during the hearing to talk about her son. She shared how close he was to his family and his strong Christian faith. "My life has not been the same," she told the court. "It’s been a roller coaster. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat."
Guyger's sentencing hearing will resume on Wednesday. She's facing up to 99 years in prison for the murder.
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