Update (October 7, 2019):  The judge who presided over the Amber Guyger case said on Monday she “would not” and “could not refuse” giving a hug and a Bible to the former police officer who was convicted of killing her unarmed neighbor, NBC News reported.

District Judge Tammy Kemp, a Black woman, hugged Guyger in the courtroom after she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Botham Jean.

"Following my own convictions, I could not refuse that woman a hug. I would not," Kemp, who has acknowledged her Christian faith, said in an interview with The Associated Press.

"And I don't understand the anger. And I guess I could say if you profess religious beliefs and you are going to follow them, I would hope that they not be situational and limited to one race only," she added.

Kemp, who reportedly fasted and prayed before taking office, said she thought her actions were acceptable since all legal proceedings had ended. She defended hugging Guyger in her courtroom and handing her a bible.

"She asked me if I thought that God could forgive her and I said, 'Yes, God can forgive you and has,' " Kemp said.

"If she wanted to start with the Bible, I didn't want her to go back to the jail and to sink into doubt and self-pity and become bitter," Kemp said. "Because she still has a lot of life ahead of her following her sentence and I would hope that she could live it purposefully."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation criticized Kemp's action and filed a complaint against her. 

The organization, based out of Wisconsin, routinely files lawsuits that challenge the use of religious practices in government.

"Delivering Bibles and personally witnessing as a judge is an egregious abuse of power," the foundation wrote in a letter to Texas officials. Kemp "transmitted her personal religious beliefs as a state official in an official proceeding of the gravest nature," ABC7 reported. 

The victim’s brother also hugged Guyger in the courtroom, upsetting onlookers on social media about the optics of Black forgiveness.

Original: In a moment that had many people perplexed following the conviction of Amber Guyger, presiding Judge Tammy Kemp embraced Botham Jean’s killer in a hug while giving her a Bible after the sentence was delivered.

Not only are most people shocked at the judge’s gesture, but legal experts are challenging Kemp’s move as “inappropriate.” 

Kenneth Williams, a professor at South Texas College of Law with 30 years of experience, spoke with The Washington Post about the murder trial and Judge Kemp’s act toward Guyger. 

“She has indicated an affinity or sympathy for the defendant,” he shared, calling the hug “not only rare but inappropriate.” 

Given the prosecutors’ argument of Guyger’s racist behavior, many are wondering how sympathy could be easily granted to the 31-year-old former police officer. 

Midwin Charles, attorney and MSNBC legal analyst, echoed Williams’ sentiment, calling Kemp’s actions, “unorthodox, inappropriate and wrong.” 

Others began challenging the notion that forgiveness is a pathway to healing. 

Kemp was not the only one to offer solace to the convicted murderer. After the sentencing, Jean’s brother, Brandt, asked Kemp if he could hug Guyger. With emotions running high, the two embraced. Brandt later said he didn’t want her to go to prison, ultimately forgiving her for the crime, reports CNN. 

Even the Black female deputy assigned to the trial extended grace to Guyger, stroking the defendant’s hair after the 10-year sentence verdict was handed down from Kemp. 

While Brandt’s and Kemp’s actions partially disturbed many who followed the week-long trial, others are commending the victim’s mother, Allison Jean, for shining a light on the lack of proper police training in Dallas. 

“That 10 years in prison is 10 years for her reflection and for her to change her life, but there is much more to be done,” she told reporters following the trial. “The corruption that we saw during this process must stop.”

Amber GuygerBlack-TraumaBotham JeanForgivenessPolice brutality