Botham Jean’s family has planned to expand the civil lawsuit to include South Side Flats in the killing of Jean.
What We Know:
- Firstly, Amber Guyger shot and killed Jean on September 6, 2018. Guyger claimed she mistook Jean’s apartment for her’s. The court sentenced Guyger to 10 years in prison.
- According to a report from KXAS-TV, Attorney Lee Merritt said he believed South Side Flats is partially responsible for the circumstances that led up to Jean’s killing.
- Merritt advised that this is because of “both in how confusing the floors were and the state of the door Ms. Guyger had access to”. KXAS-TV added that a federal district judge ruled that the city of Dallas is not liable for Jean’s death; but, Merritt plans to appeal this ruling.
- Additional attorneys are aware of the roadblocks in the case and concluded that they are not shocked. “In my view, the two things that make it the most problematic to hold the city accountable is that fact she was off duty and causally connecting any argument that a failure by the city to train her with her decision that evening to shoot Mr. Jean,” attorney Quintin Brogdon said.
- He also concluded that it would be tough to hold South Side Flats liable as well, based on Texas Law and the fact of the case. Under Texas law, an apartment complex can be held liable for crimes that occur on their property, if; (1) the landowner or owner of an apartment complex does not keep the property reasonably safe from foreseeable harm. (2) Also, if the landowner or the apartment complex neglected security procedures and measures to preserve the safety of the property.
- The case kept the public on edge with its many discussions. For instance, some were in disbelief when Judge Tammy Kemp hugged Guyger and gave her a bible after the sentence. Some argued the judge’s behavior was unethical. Jean’s brother, Brandt Jean, also hugged Guyger. “If you truly are sorry — I know I can speak for myself — I, I forgive you,” Brandt said.
Further details are developing.
