The family of a man murdered by an off-duty police officer has publicly forgiven her in court and said she should turn to God.
Amber Guyger shot dead youth pastor Botham Jean in his apartment after she returned from a long shift.
Guyger said she thought he was an intruder in her own apartment, which was actually on a different floor.
‘I forgive you’
Jean’s brother Brandt, 18, gave a victim impact statement at Guyger’s sentencing on Wednesday, where she was given ten years in prison for murder.
He said: “If you truly are sorry, I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you. I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you.
“I want the best for you. Because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. The best would be ‘Give your life to Christ’”, he continued.
He then asked if he could hug his brother’s killer, and the judge permitted him to embrace her.
“The best would be ‘Give your life to Christ’.”
Matthew 6:15
Speaking later, Jean’s father Bertram said: “That’s what Christ would want us to do. If you will not forgive, neither will your Father forgive you.
“I don’t want to see her rot in prison. I hope this will help her to change and recognise the damage, the hurt that our family’s going through.
“So I wish her well and I will pray for her family and pray for her as well.”
John 3:16
Judge Tammy Kemp, who was moved to tears by Brandt’s testimony, gave Guyger her own Bible before she was sent to prison, and pointed her to John 3:16.
She too embraced Guyger, and after an inaudible comment by the ex-police officer, she responded: “It’s not because I’m good, it’s because I believe in Christ.
“It’s not because I’m good, it’s because I believe in Christ.”
“I’m not so good. You haven’t done so much that you can’t be forgiven. You did something bad in one moment of time. What you do now matters.”