Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who fatally shot an innocent man in 2018 when she entered the wrong apartment, thinking it was her own, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years in prison.
The remarkable moment from the sentencing hearing, however, came from an extraordinary gesture of Christian forgiveness offered by the victim’s brother.
"I love you just like anyone else and I'm not going to hope you rot and die. 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,” Brandt Jean told Guyger, standing apart from his family, who were disappointed by the lenient sentence.
“I want the best for you because I know that's exactly what Botham would want for you,” he continued. “Give your life to Christ. I think giving your life to Christ is the best thing Botham would want for you."
He then asked the judge if he could "please" hug Guyger, which she allowed.
The two embraced for a long time, with Guyger sobbing.
This is what Brandt chose to say to the officer who fatally shot his brother after mistaking him for a burglar. The media would love nothing more than to turn this into divisive racial hysteria. But this is what the love of Christ does. We can all learn from this incredible man. pic.twitter.com/aC1WxJideF
— Hannah Blair (@hannaheblair) October 3, 2019
Judge Tammy Kemp also spoke to Guyger privately, giving her not only a hug, but also her personal Bible, instructing her to read and live John 3:16.
Moments after Brandt Jean said he forgave Amber Guyger for killing his brother Botham Jean, Judge Tammy Kemp emerged from her chambers to give Gugyer a Bible. "You just need a tiny mustard seed of faith,” the judge said. “You start with this.” More: https://t.co/hm1VSFp9Tv pic.twitter.com/F6bdTFkdpf
— WFAA (@wfaa) October 3, 2019
"You just need a tiny mustard seed of faith,” the judge said. “You start with this.”