I watched closely the trial of Amber Guyger, the Dallas police officer convicted of shooting and killing a young African American neighbor, Botham Jean. I have never seen anything like the sentencing phase of that trial.
Jean’s brother asked the judge whether he could hug Guyger, saying he didn’t want her to go to prison. If that wasn’t baffling enough, the African American judge also hugged the defendant and gave her a Bible.
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The judge, who was supposed to be impartial, was swayed emotionally by what she saw. I was completely blown away. Guyger cried her heart out when she took the stand, saying she wished that Jean had shot her instead of the other way around.
Either Amber Guyger is one hell of an actress, or she was really remorseful. I assume she was scared and remorseful all at the same time.
Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a murder. I look back at all the other black victims of white police officers — people who were shot for being black. After those officers were acquitted, did a judge give the families of any of their victims a Bible?
Emmett Jones, Hyde Park
Daring to be impeached
As a conservative, well-educated voter, I am happy with what President Donald Trump has done with respect to Supreme Court appointees and some other issues. But I am so glad that Sen. Mitt Romney and other Republicans see his bad behavior, and the bad calls, he is making.
It almost seems as if he is daring the House to impeach him.
He is destroying our values.
Carol Spale, North Riverside