The Murder trial for former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger is underway this week in Dallas. Guyger told Police that she shot and killed Botham Jean after mistaking his apartment for her own.
WATCH the WFAA-TV Live stream of the trial below:
UPDATED 9/24/19 8:26AM
Day 2 of the Amber Guyger trial is about to get underway. This is the scene at the court house.
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During testimony on Monday, the police force partner of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger acknowledged that they had a sexual relationship and exchanged sexually explicit text messages and photos with her the day she shot Botham Jean. However, Martin Rivera denied making plans to rendezvous with Guyger later that night, as prosecutors suggest.
DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) UPDATED 5:30PM
Testimony in Day one of the murder trial for for Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger has ended. Testimony will resume at 8:30AM Tuesday.
DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) UPDATED 2:39PM
The defense and prosecution made opening statements just after noon Monday.
The State of Texas told the jury it would be difficult for Guyger to mistake Jean’s apartment for her own because of differences in the units, such as a red rug in his doorway. The defense said Guyger had no intention to enter Jean’s apartment and that she thought Jean was an intruder in her apartment before she shot him.
The prosecution introduced a sexual relationship between Guyger and her Police partner that may have distracted her the night of the shooting.
The first witness called to testify was Botham Jean’s sister who spoke about his career path and character.
DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) Updated 11:36AM
The defense is asking the judge to rule on a potential violation of a gag order in the case after a television interview with District Attorney John Creuzot.
Judge Tammy Kemp viewed the story and is asking jurors if any of them saw the broadcast.
Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) UPDATED: 9:55AM
Now there’s a bit of drama outside the courtroom. Immediate family was let in, then media, but family friends reportedly upset that media was let in ahead of them. “Someone got murdered!” one of them shouted. And we haven’t even started the trial yet. @WBAP247NEWS @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/fuBzFiaNMs
— Scott Sidway (@ScottyWK) September 23, 2019
Judge Tammy Kemp just went off on someone whose laptop went off while they were going over motions regarding Guyger’s cell phones. Extremely frustrated after telling everyone no phones or laptops allowed inside. #AmberGuygerTrial pic.twitter.com/n6eEYqBKFc
— Scott Sidway (@ScottyWK) September 23, 2019
UPDATED: 9/23/19 9:15AM
WATCH LIVE STREAM OF TRIAL HERE.
Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – The judge in the Amber Guyger trial has told everyone, including media that now cellphones or laptops are permitted in side the courtroom.
Everyone outside the courtroom, including media, was told nobody is allowed to have cell phones or laptops inside the courtroom for the #AmberGuygerTrial. Judge is cracking down given the nature of this case. @WBAP247NEWS @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/vbjYyrdTpY
— Scott Sidway (@ScottyWK) September 23, 2019
Original post: 8:02AM
Dallas (WBAP/KLIF) – The murder trial for former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger is set to begin this morning. As crowds and the media began lining up early this morning.
Crowds anxiously awaiting the courtroom to open for the #AmberGuygerTrial. Set to begin this morning. Round the clock coverage on @WBAP247NEWS & @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/YF858mIaWw
— Scott Sidway (@ScottyWK) September 23, 2019
Brad Lollar is a defense attorney not associated with the case and says it all comes down to whether or not the jury believes Guyger when she says she thought she was in her own apartment, and not Botham Jean’s
“If they do then the law says that that mistaken believe negates the type of culpability that is going to be required for the commission of murder.”
A jury could still consider a lesser charge like manslaughter or acquit Guyger.
Just a little bit of extra media coverage for the #AmberGuyger trial. #guygertrial @WBAP247NEWS @570KLIF pic.twitter.com/b9Jhk20Hxg
— Scott Sidway (@ScottyWK) September 23, 2019
The trial is expected to last several weeks.
The family of Botham Jean, the Dallas man shot by a then Dallas police officer last September, attended the Dallas church he belonged to while he was alive Sunday.
Jean’s father gave the sermon at Cedar Crest Church of Christ, saying that he remembers his son leading worship service.
Bertrum Jean told reporters:
“He loved singing and that’s what I can always remember. I can picture him right now on stages and just leading in song.”
This morning, a prayer vigil for jean is expected to take place outside the Dallas County court house where the former officer’s trial is to begin.
(Copyright 2019 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News)
