1. SAGE Lecture Spark
October 1, 2019

2. Ex-Police Officer, Amber Guyger, Found Guilty For Fatally Shooting Neighbor
On September 6th, 2018, Amber Guyger, a police officer in Dallas, mistakenly entered the apartment of her upstairs neighbor, Botham Jean, thinking it was hers. Guyger fatally shot Jean thinking he was an intruder.
On September 27th, 2019, Guyger took the witness stand at her trial, where she is charged with Jean’s murder.
The prosecution argued that Guyger acted unreasonably, whereas, the defense relied heavily on the Castle Doctrine as a defense.
On October 1st, 2019, the jury deliberated for less than 24 hours and found Guyger to be guilty of murder.
Here are some of the sources related to Guyger’s trial and case:
Fate of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger on trial for wrong-apartment murder in hands of jury
By: Bill Hutchinson
ABC News
09/30/2019
‘Unreasonable decisions' or 'horrible mistakes'? Jury to decide in murder case of Dallas officer Amber Guyger
By: Jorge L. Ortiz
USA Today
'I Hate Myself,' Former Dallas Police Officer Who Killed Neighbor Tells Jurors
By: Tanya Ballard Brown
NPR
09/27/2019

3. Key Concepts Judge Tammy Kemp had allowed the Castle Doctrine defense.
What is it?
The Castle Doctrine is similar to the Stand Your Ground Law.
It allows a person to use “or using force (even deadly force) in the protection of a home, vehicle, or other property if someone attempts to forcibly enter or remove an individual from the premises.
Here are some sources that discuss the Castle Doctrine:
Judge Rules Jury Can Consider Castle Doctrine In Amber Guyger Murder Trial
CBS DFW
09/30/2019
In the Amber Guyger trial, the jury must decide whether she was reasonable to think Botham Jean posed a threat
By: Eliott C. McLaughlin and Darran Simon
CNN News

4. Assessment
Writing: Briefly summarize the arguments made by both the prosecution and the defense in Guyger’s trial.
Debate: Amber Guyger should receive the maximum sentence for fatally shooting Botham Jean.
Poll: Do you believe that Amber Guyger acted unreasonably in her actions?
Short Answer: What is the Castle Doctrine?
Current Events Quiz
1. What is the maximum sentence that Amber Guyger can receive?
a. 25 years
b. 50 years
c. 99 years
d. death penalty
2. The judge has said that the jury can consider the Castle Doctrine, which is an argument of
a. self-defense.
b. necessity.
c. duress.
d. insanity.
3. Who will decide Amber Guyger’s fate?
a. a judge
b. a jury
c. the people
d. the governor
4. In order to sentence Guyger, the jury’s verdict must be unanimous. (T/F)
5. Prosecutors argue that Guyger did not act reasonably. (T/F)
6. Judge Tammy Kemp has ruled that the jury cannot consider manslaughter when sentencing Guyger. (T/F)
Answers
1) C
2) A
3) B
4) T
5) T
6) F