Archive, News

Botham Jean's Killer is Fired

September 24, 2018
Written by Featured Partner

Dallas Police reported an internal investigation is complete, and Officer Amber Guyger, who killed Botham Jean three weeks ago, has been fired.

The Texas Rangers, who took over the criminal investigation, have not released any new information as Jean’s family attorneys said they are still committed to proving a murder charge instead of a manslaughter one. The district attorney has said she is open to considering a murder charge.

Chief U. Renee Hall said the delay in firing Guyger was because “a premature administrative suspension could have possibly implicated Guyger’s fifth amendment protections and compromised the criminal prosecution,” wrote attorney Lee Merritt on Facebook.

Guyger’s firing comes after protesters, who crowded the streets surrounding Dallas Cowboys stadium last Sunday, carried empty caskets, chanting, “No justice, no peace.”

Several of the protesters were arrested and jailed.

Beto O’ Rourke, the U.S. Senate candidate who called out officials for not firing Guyger, said: “And when we all want justice and the facts and the information to make an informed decision, what’s released to the public That he had a small amount of marijuana in his kitchen.”

“That is not justice. That is not us. That can and must change,” O’Rourke said.

Hall originally said last Thursday that she could not fire Guyger until the criminal investigation was complete, however, several lawyers pointed out that was not accurate.

The announcement on Monday stated that Guyger was fired after an internal investigations found she engaged in “adverse conduct” when charged with manslaughter. She had been removed from duty, and on payroll for the last two weeks, while conflicting stories surfaced. Meanwhile, family and friends mourned and called for action during Jean’s funeral service.

Statement:

pic.twitter.com/Bvt4ixHGsl
— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) September 24, 2018

Questions still remain regarding the reason for Guyger entering Jean’s apartment, and why her story changed regarding whether or not the door was locked or open.

When asked during a City Council Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee hearing about the statements Hall made last week, and about the firing, Hall said Guyger had been fired, but did not discuss anything further.

“The Jean family expressed satisfaction in this explanation and in Guyger’s termination,” Merritt wrote on Facebook. “We see it as an initial — victory well received on the day Botham Jean is laid to rest in his native country in St. Lucia.”