Jill Filipovic is a journalist based in Washington and author of the book"The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness." Follow her on Twitter. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely her own. View more opinion articles on CNN.
The Amber Guyger verdict is in, and the former Dallas cop who killed an unarmed black man -- her neighbor -- in his own home was found guilty of murder. Jurors rejected a lesser charge of manslaughter. She faces between five and 99 years in prison. Jill FilipovicThe facts of this case are as stunning as the verdict . In September 2018, Guyger walked into the home of 26-year-old Botham Jean and shot him to death. Guyger says she was distracted, believed the apartment was hers, and thought Jean was an intruder. Jean, an accountant, was having a quiet night at home, and had just prepared himself a bowl of ice cream.
Judge in disbelief after DA breaks rule in Amber Guyger trial 00:56Guyger's case illustrates just how barbaric stand your ground laws are. As a police officer, she's trained to use a gun -- and yet she intentionally shot to kill . Even if it had been her apartment, is that the desired outcome? The facts of the case also call into question Guyger's own professed anguish over her actions. She testified, weeping:"I ask God for forgiveness and I hate myself every single day.
Contradicting stories in deadly police shooting 02:19What this guilty verdict may at least show is there are some lines even white police officers can't cross when killing unarmed black people. Of course: it's complicated.
JillFilipovic Opinion The statement says she was off duty. But when you look at her video she's in uniform? She made no attempt to assist the victim. Nor did she call for backup before entering the apartment that she claimed was afraid to go into because she feared for her life?... Awkward
JillFilipovic Opinion White women police officers.
JillFilipovic Opinion It always has to be made about race right? Surely this simply couldn’t of been a stupid person who did a horrible thing. That doesn’t sell. Add the black VS white slogan to it, now it sells.
JillFilipovic Opinion The bloodlust here for someone who made an innocent mistake in a building where the floors looked the same is identical to that for Juan Rodriguez. Horrible accidents happen. She thought it was her home. He thought he dropped the kids off. Tragedy, not murder.
JillFilipovic Opinion I don’t give a damn what race the Victim was,I don’t want a cop coming into my house and killing me, without there being any consequences. So I’m happy with the verdict. She killed an innocent American Civilian,who from what I’m hearing was a good citizens. Be in the victim shoe
JillFilipovic Opinion That’s pretty sad that this is being said in late 2019.
JillFilipovic Opinion Why is it surprising you can’t walk into someone elses home and shoot them....good job cnn for promoting that she was a white officer contine spreading the distrust...
JillFilipovic Opinion TheJusticeDept USSupremeCourt Was it a case based on color? realDonaldTrump must investigate if DOJ or CNN is engaged in racism. Did the judge say 'you white killed the black'? So disturbing!
JillFilipovic Opinion Nice headline, Herzegovina
JillFilipovic Opinion To bring race into this verdict is asinine and farcical. It's no wonder that CNN is going down the tubes.
JillFilipovic Opinion Knowing your community’s demographic makeup has never been more important
JillFilipovic Opinion But when that line is the officer breaking into their house and shooting them on the sofa.. That's kind of depressing too.
JillFilipovic Opinion مرحباً أيها العالم هناك شعب يقوم بثورة الآن، في شوارع العراق Hello world, there are people making revolution now, in lraq! Show your support for the right of lraqi people to protest Peacefully! Save_the_Iraqi_people انقذوا_متظاهرين_العراق 💔🇮🇶
JillFilipovic Opinion This was only surprising in the context of today’s America.
JillFilipovic Opinion How much of it was done to ‘not appear prejudice’ though?
JillFilipovic Opinion Hello_world There_are_people_Making Revolution_now_in_iraq ! Show_your_support_for_the right_of_Iraq_people_to protest_peacefully Save_the_Iraqi_people HELP_Iraq saveIraqipeople
JillFilipovic Opinion What kind of fucking quote is that 😤 it’s the right verdict , but wtf !