Kamala Harris demands justice for Joshua Brown

Senator Kamala Harris has demanded authorities investigate and bring justice for the murder of Joshua Brown, who was shot to death over the weekend just days after he was a key witness in the murder trail of a former Dallas police officer.

Joshua Brown’s selflessness and courage brought some justice for his neighbor Botham Jean. We grieve again learning of Joshua’s murder.

I pray for his family, his community, and all those impacted by this tragedy.

We demand answers.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 6, 2019

NAACP Requests Independent Investigation into Shooting Death of Joshua Brown

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is requesting an independent investigation of the shooting death of Joshua Brown. Mr. Brown was a key witness in the trial of Amber Guyger, the former Dallas Police Department officer who walked into Botham Jean’s home and shot him to death. The murder of Botham Jean has raised troubling concerns from the beginning of the investigation, and now, the deeply alarming and highly suspicious murder of Joshua Brown increases the urgency of an immediate, independent investigation of every aspect of these two tragic killings.

Mr. Brown was killed just two days after a Dallas County jury sentenced Guyger to 10 years in prison. His testimony was critical to Officer Guyger’s conviction, including by establishing that Officer Guyger did not shout verbal commands or warnings before shooting Botham Jean.

“The circumstances surrounding the murder of Mr. Brown cries out for answers. Most importantly, it demands an independent investigation of how and why he was killed,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, LDF’s President and Director-Counsel. “We urge state or federal authorities to follow the trail of misconduct left by this case and fully investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Brown’s death. It is critical to public confidence in the administration of justice that witnesses who speak out against police violence are fully protected. The suspicious circumstances of Mr. Brown’s killing should cause great alarm and demand an immediate and piercing inquiry. We echo Allison Jean’s statement that the ‘corruption we saw during this process must stop,’ and support her request for a comprehensive federal investigation of the Dallas Police Department.”

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Founded in 1940, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization and has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund or LDF.

Amber Guyger Indicted for Murder in the Death of Botham Shem Jean

A grand jury indicted Amber Guyger for murder, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson told reporters in a press conference Friday afternoon.

Prosecutors argue the defendant should be held responsible for fatally shooting the victim at his apartment on September 6. Police say Guyger entered Jean’s home at the South Side Flats after a shift, and opened fire, striking him in the torso. She allegedly claimed she mistakenly believed that his fourth floor apartment was her third floor residence. Guyger lost her job over the incident. Others wondered how this shooting could possibly have happened. They were neighbors, but apparently didn’t know each other.

At the press conference, reporters asked Johnson why the charge was bumped up to murder. She said she couldn’t discuss the evidence presented to the grand jury, but previously explained it was the Texas Rangers who pursued the manslaughter charge. The D.A.’s office was still investigating at the time, she said.

[SOURCE: LAW & CRIME]

Amber Guyer fired by Dallas Police Departmant

The Dallas Police Department has released the following statement on the firing of Amber Guyer, the officer that murdered Botham Jean:

Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall terminated Police Officer Amber Guyger, #10702, during a hearing held September 24, 2018. An Internal Affairs investigation concluded that on September 9, 2018, Officer Guyger, #10702, engaged in adverse conduct when she was arrested for Manslaughter.

Officer Guyger was terminated for her actions. She was hired in November 2013 and was assigned to the Southeast Patrol Division.

Under civil service rules, Officer Guyger has the right to appeal her discipline.”