With New Filings, Amber Guyger's Defense Comes into Focus

[TexasTowelie]

DALLAS -- On one level, the whole thing's absurd, that there are so many legal questions to argue about as we approach former Dallas Police Department Officer Amber Guyger's murder trial. The facts are not in dispute. Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean almost a year ago, as Jean hung out alone in his apartment on a Thursday night.

Seemingly, Guyger should face some punishment for killing Jean. But thanks to Texas law and what's sure to be a robust defense, there's a chance that she'll never spend a night in jail.

Jury selection for Guyger's murder trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 6, a year to the day since she killed Jean. While the trial judge in the case, Tammy Kemp, has issued a strict gag order, documents filed by both Guyger's lawyers and the Dallas County District Attorney's Office show the road on which the case will travel, if it goes to trial.

Late last week, Guyger's lawyers provided a list of expert witnesses they intend to rely on during the trial. It's clear from the list that the defense is going to attempt to convince the jury that Guyger made what's known as a "mistake-of-fact."

Read more: https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/dallas-police-officer-amber-guygers-defense-tactics-11735279

[exboyfil]

1. Voluntary manslaughter if they can fit it

in the Texas code. Higher if she used something like a master key (which I suspect given she was doing "unofficial" security for the apartment complex). No way she should walk.

[abqtommy]

2. Now, now...she should get a fair trial before she's locked up!