The former Dallas police officer who was recently convicted for killing an unarmed Black man in his own home has filed a notice of appeal.
Amber Guyger's lawyers filed the notice after their client was sentenced to 10 years in prison for killing Botham Jean, CNN reported.
Guyger's lead trial lawyer, Robert Rogers, told CNN that the appeal is a formality in following Texas law.
"You have 30 days by statute to file a notice or intent to appeal, so the lawyer that's handling the appeal filed that just to preserve the right," Rogers said. "You have to do that."
Rogers isn't a part of the appeal process, but he told CNN it could takes months before they know for sure whether or not Guyger will move forward with an appeal.
According to CBS11, the lawyers plan to appeal Guyger's murder conviction and 10-year sentence.
Attorney Pete Schulte, who isn't directly involved with the case, said there's a risk that comes with the appeal.
In a Tuesday tweet, Schulte said there's a chance Guyger could face more prison time.
"That’s the big risk for her to appeal this case. If the court of appeals sends the case back for a new trial and she gets convicted again of murder, she could get sentenced anywhere from 5-99 years," Schulte tweeted. "Many defendants would decide against appeal because of that risk."
That’s the big risk for her to appeal this case. IF the court of appeals sends the case back for a new trial, and she gets convicted again of murder, she could get sentenced anywhere from 5-99 years. Many defendants would decide against appeal because of that risk.
— Lawyer Pete Schulte (@AttyPeteSchulte) October 22, 2019
Schulte said the notice of appeal filed by the lawyers is a procedural move to indicate an appeal may be coming, but Guyger could still decide to not appeal the case.
#AmberGuyger Trial Update 2: Lawyers for Guyger have filed a “Notice of Appeal” of her murder conviction & 10 year prison sentence. This is mostly a procedural move, indicating that an appeal may be forthcoming. Guyger could still decide to not appeal this case. pic.twitter.com/en8AvPqMfd
— Lawyer Pete Schulte (@AttyPeteSchulte) October 22, 2019
Guyger killed her 26-year-old neighbor when she walked into his apartment last year.
The 31-year-old former police officer said she thought she was walking into her own apartment and believed Jean was an intruder.
Guyger's 10-year sentence has caused outrage among people who believe the judgment is too lenient. More controversy followed when judge Tammy Kemp hugged the convict after the trial and gave her a bible.
The case took another twist when Joshua Brown, a key witness, was shot and killed a week after testifying against Guyger.
According to CNN, Guyger is serving her sentence at the Mountain View prison in Gatesville, Texas, and she is eligible for parole on Sept. 29, 2024.
