The younger sibling of shooting victim Botham Jean forgave his brother's killer, former Dallas Police officer Amber Guyger, during her sentencing hearing.
In court Wednesday, the 18-year-old forgave the shooter and asked the presiding judge if it was OK to hug Guyger, reports ABC News. A viral image of the two embracing one another has become one of the major moments of the 2018 shooting case.
"I love you just like anyone else and I'm not going to hope you rot and die," Brandt told Guyger. "I personally want the best for you. I wasn't going to say this in front of my family, I don't even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you because I know that's exactly what Botham would want for you. Give your life to Christ. I think giving your life to Christ is the best thing Botham would want for you."
Jean's father Betrum Jean, who oversees a church, told his congregation that he would be able to become friends with Guyger one day reports NBC DFW.
"We don't hate you, [Amber]. You have broken us but we would like to become friends at some point in time, I believe I have the ability to do it, despite my loss. God is good," he said at a church session following the sentencing. "That is why I want to do this."
What a moment in the courtroom, just now. Botham Jean's brother Brandt took the opportunity to forgive Amber Guyger, tell her to devote her life to Christ, and then asked the judge if he could give Guyger a hug.
The judge, wiping tears from her eyes, allowed the moment to happen pic.twitter.com/rxo6sNOwa7
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) October 2, 2019
***An image that needs to be seen around the world***
A young man forgives his brother's killer in court. Amber Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years. The former Dallas officer shot and killed Botham Jean in his own apartment thinking he was an intruder. @wfaa
pic.twitter.com/25ecJ9ad7S— Jobin Panicker (@jobinpnews) October 2, 2019
Last September, the former officer entered Botham's apartment and claimed she thought it was her own. When he appeared in front of her, she fired her weapon believing he was an intruder, killing him instantly. New details from the trial revealed the 31-year-old sent lewd texts to her partner at the time of the shooting.
According to CBS News, Brandt recommended Guyger turn her life over to Christ and show kindness to others. Judge Tammy Kemp also embraced the grieving family members, Guyger and gave the former cop a bible.
Others saw their acts of forgiveness as acts of protecting and cuddling whiteness. In situations of intense harm caused by white violence, Black people are asked and expected to forgive the perpetrators.
sorry, but if someone murders my sibling, i am NOT forgiving them, f*** that, tf? #forgiveness
— the hill na na ???? (@bighillybaby) October 3, 2019
I have preached #forgiveness for 25 years, BUT using the willingness of Black people to forgive as an excuse to further victimize Black people is SINFUL.
America should ask Black people forgiveness for serially asking African Americans to forgive sanctioned #PoliceBrutality. pic.twitter.com/OUJzoEYgr0
— Rev. Cornell William Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) October 2, 2019
This isn't forgiveness or christianity. This is conditioning. #forgiveness
pic.twitter.com/Sh8zFUSvbO— Style & Performance (@DJCEO) October 3, 2019
This bitch ain’t done a day in prison yet for a murder and y’all already talking bout forgiveness. Fuck off.
— Petey Steele (@steele_dc) October 3, 2019
However, other family members aren't following Brandt's lead. They are suggesting the Dallas Police Department clean up its act and end the racial bias and corruption that creates instances like the 2018 shooting. Allison Jean, the mother of Botham, said the entire city of Dallas has to improve before real change occurs.
#BothamJean's mother, Allison, addresses the media after a jury sentences Amber Guyger to 10 years in prison. Watch live: https://t.co/AOElC1SBTp#AmberGuygerTrial
pic.twitter.com/1epxgGEyyJ
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) October 2, 2019
"That 10 years in prison is for her [Guyger] to reflect and to change her life," Allison said. "But there is much more to be done by the city of Dallas. The corruption we saw during this trial must stop. The city of Dallas needs to clean up inside. The Dallas Police Department has a lot of laundry to do. The Texas Rangers need to get on board."