Jump to content

Dallas officer kills man after mistaking apartment for her own, police say


'stache

Recommended Posts

3 minutes ago, 77horn said:

Law dogs, I guess after lunch we start the penalty phase.  What do you think we'll get to hear that didn't make it into the guilt/innocence phase?  the MLK thing that was shot down? her social media stuff?  Anything else

Punishment stage tends to be pretty wide open.  But I have no idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, 4th and 5 said:

This was a winnable case. The defense lost this case. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Asithappens said:

You sure about that?

Maybe with a stacked jury.

 

All she had to do was not mention that she saw the door cracked and heard someone inside. Once she said that, she had every reason and opportunity to walk away. Her defense team should have had her better prepared.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Ellellelle said:

Does his family have a the ability to file a suit against the apartment complex?

I would bet they can and will.  The apartment complex does have some defense that they were proactively working on the situation, however.  So who knows where that would lead.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, DaysOff said:

Do judges often do that in their instructions, and should they be? I think not as a guy that sits in jury pools.

It's not a gambit.  It's good judging.  A judge is in charge of very limited trial resources of the state of Texas.  They have an interest in giving a fair trial while also preventing, if possible, retrials of cases that are avoidable and the associated massive waste of resources.

I think GoLL is absolutely right.  A smart judge will tilt their rulings in favor of the defense if it's a close call because it removes that as a ground of appeal, reversal, and retrial.  And it happens to be fair, as our system is and should be tilted toward the defendant at most turns.

The expert witness exclusions were not a close call, in my opinion.  What was excluded should have been excluded the way the defense teed it up.  And a judge has pretty broad discretion there, even in a criminal case.

  • Like 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A just verdict for a horrible tragedy of Amber Guyger's choosing. I really thought the DA was going to blow this but the cross of her really sealed her fate. This shoot first mentality has to be addressed by DPD and other police departments. 

Edited by mdmost
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

35 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Sometimes there is justice.  I still can't believe she admitted to hearing someone in the apartment before she went in.  That is what sealed it.

 

34 minutes ago, Huckleberry said:

Agreed in that it's what would have sealed it for me if I were on the jury. That fact changed everything. Even on this thread you will see that I had said I could actually believe she was surprised by the whole deal, but then I heard that testimony. And that fact meant she had the opportunity to avoid the confrontation completely.

i am still stunned at that admission.

and yes, that fact is what sealed it for me. a cop, of all people, hearing someone in what she thinks is her home? back away, call for backup. she went in guns blazing. 

guilty.

though i'm sort of shocked at the murder verdict. i was all in on manslaughter being the compromise.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

5-99 no probation/deferred.  Jury sentenced unless judge is chosen to do so.

It's sentencing by the Judge unless she elected for the Jury to do it prior to voir dire.

 

Edit. Nevermind. Doesn't appy to murder

Edited by Publiushorn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On sentencing, it is wide open.  The testimony, if any, and argument, is focused on factors of aggravation and mitigation.

In capital cases, they have "mitigation" experts who conduct a social study of the defendant and tell the jury how fucked up they are and that it isn't altogether their fault.

I wouldn't be surprised if the defense didn't have a similar type of expert.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, mdmost said:

A just verdict for a horrible tragedy of Amber Guyger's choosing. I really thought the DA blew this but the cross of her really sealed her fate. This shoot first mentality has to be addressed by DPD and other police departments. 

At what point did you think the DA blew it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In Texas, there are four types of criminal homicide: 1) murder, 2) capital murder, 3) manslaughter, and 4) criminally negligent homicide. Here is a breakdown of the four homicide crimes in simple English:

1. Murder: You commit murder when you intentionally and knowingly take someone else’s life, or when you intend to commit an act that is clearly extremely dangerous to human life and in effect, causes death to another person. Murder is usually a felony of the first degree.

2. Capital Murder: There are different ways to commit capital murder. You commit capital murder if you kill a fireman or member of law enforcement. You commit capital murder if you intentionally kill someone while committing arson, kidnapping, robbery or burglary, terroristic threat, obstruction or retaliation, or sexual assault. Capital murder is a capital felony.

3. Manslaughter: You commit manslaughter if you “recklessly” cause the death of another person. Manslaughter is a felony of the second degree.

4. Criminally Negligent Homicide: If you are criminally negligent and you take someone else’s life, it would be considered criminally negligent homicide, which is a state jail felony. Some “accidental killings” fall into this category.

 

For the most part I saw this as scenario 4.  The 911 call and her state seemed to at least lend some credence to her honestly thinking she was in her own home, thinking it was an intruder, etc.  That said, not much else seemed to indicate deadly force was the go to reaction here.  The neighbor who shared the wall also seemed to corroborate that he didn't "attack" her, at least not that she heard.  All that said, the cross exam of her was brutal to her case so I can see how they got to the max charge.  I don't know that I would have gotten quite there, but I know I am certain she should serve jail time regardless of whether I think she's guilty of murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide.  Point being, I think she is guilty of one of the above no matter what, and I please to see the jury "get it right".  None of that means shit to lost soul departed too soon.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question:  did she admit to hearing someone inside "her" apartment on her own volition, or was she asked if she heard someone by the prosecution?  (Sorry, I didn't follow the trial.  I'm fascinated by such an admission, though, and like others have posted before, it seems like this would be the kind of thing her attorneys would have prepped her for.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Ellellelle said:

Does his family have a the ability to file a suit against the apartment complex? Edit: Rather, do they have a reasonable case?

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Trey3216 said:

I would bet they can and will.  The apartment complex does have some defense that they were proactively working on the situation, however.  So who knows where that would lead.  

Havent been following this case nearly as closely as many of you, so I have to ask...what is the angle against the apartment complex? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Blotto said:

 

Havent been following this case nearly as closely as many of you, so I have to ask...what is the angle against the apartment complex? 

 

There was a problem with the locking mechanisms and the doors didn't always close all the way and lock.  It's how she got in to Jean's apartment in the first place.

Edited by kevwun
Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, pops said:

Admitting the door was open and she heard something inside and still decided to enter sealed the deal. 

 

14 minutes ago, immortal13 said:

I can't believe she admitted to hearing someone inside before opening the door and going in with her gun drawn. Stupid 

I really do think that was THE pivotal fact.  It turned the case from:

"I walked into my apartment, was startled to see someone there and acted instinctively to protect myself"

to

"I knew something was up in the apartment, and instead of pausing to assess the situation and figure out what was really going on, and instead of following my intensive training in procedure to wait outside and call for backup, I chose to go in and CREATE a confrontation that resulted in BJ's death."

Had the case facts been the first scenario, I truly think she would have been acquitted.  But the fact that it was scenario 2 sealed her fate.

  • Like 6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said:

Question:  did she admit to hearing someone inside "her" apartment on her own volition, or was she asked if she heard someone by the prosecution?  (Sorry, I didn't follow the trial.  I'm fascinated by such an admission, though, and like others have posted before, it seems like this would be the kind of thing her attorneys would have prepped her for.)

I may be misremembering, but I believe she offered up the testimony about hearing someone inside on direct. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, pepper brooks said:

In Texas, there are four types of criminal homicide: 1) murder, 2) capital murder, 3) manslaughter, and 4) criminally negligent homicide. Here is a breakdown of the four homicide crimes in simple English:

1. Murder: You commit murder when you intentionally and knowingly take someone else’s life, or when you intend to commit an act that is clearly extremely dangerous to human life and in effect, causes death to another person. Murder is usually a felony of the first degree.

2. Capital Murder: There are different ways to commit capital murder. You commit capital murder if you kill a fireman or member of law enforcement. You commit capital murder if you intentionally kill someone while committing arson, kidnapping, robbery or burglary, terroristic threat, obstruction or retaliation, or sexual assault. Capital murder is a capital felony.

3. Manslaughter: You commit manslaughter if you “recklessly” cause the death of another person. Manslaughter is a felony of the second degree.

4. Criminally Negligent Homicide: If you are criminally negligent and you take someone else’s life, it would be considered criminally negligent homicide, which is a state jail felony. Some “accidental killings” fall into this category.

 

For the most part I saw this as scenario 4.  The 911 call and her state seemed to at least lend some credence to her honestly thinking she was in her own home, thinking it was an intruder, etc.  That said, not much else seemed to indicate deadly force was the go to reaction here.  The neighbor who shared the wall also seemed to corroborate that he didn't "attack" her, at least not that she heard.  All that said, the cross exam of her was brutal to her case so I can see how they got to the max charge.  I don't know that I would have gotten quite there, but I know I am certain she should serve jail time regardless of whether I think she's guilty of murder, manslaughter or negligent homicide.  Point being, I think she is guilty of one of the above no matter what, and I please to see the jury "get it right".  None of that means shit to lost soul departed too soon.  

We've hashed this almost endlessly.  Legally, murder is the only charge that fits.

In Texas, you consider the act that caused the death and whether that act was "intentional," "reckess," or "negligent."  In this case it was intentional.  There were other circumstances leading up to that intentional act that were characterized by recklessness or negligence, but not the act itself.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, Blotto said:

what is the angle against the apartment complex? 

Their door locks were all fucked up. Door numbering was fucked up. Floor numbering was fucked up. But they were very stylish for that price point.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, pepper brooks said:

In Texas, there are four types of criminal homicide: 1) murder, 2) capital murder, 3) manslaughter, and 4) criminally negligent homicide. Here is a breakdown of the four homicide crimes in simple English:

 

You should probably just read through the thread where this was discussed at length (including by criminal attorneys).  Cliff Notes:  Murder was the right charge....

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, Blotto said:

 

Havent been following this case nearly as closely as many of you, so I have to ask...what is the angle against the apartment complex? 

There was a pretty well documented history of people going to the wrong apartment on the wrong floor.  And very few good markings in the garage and elsewhere (those apartment numbers are fucking ridiculous) to alert people as to which floor they were on.  If the complex was aware of this and took no action to remedy it, they could be liable for the death.

Locks, too, possibly.

On the other hand, when someone commits an intentional crime, classically, that breaks the chain of causation.  So even though the complex may have been negligent in marking their floors and apartments, it was completely unforeseeable that some asshole would pull a gun and waste someone, so no liability.

Edited by TwiceHorn
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the O/U should be set at 9.5 years.  My money is that she gets 10 years.  Any more doesn't do anything to alleviate the pain of the deceased's family, nor is she more likely to be rehabilitated.  Honestly, 5 years probably gets the job done, but because of the optics of the case, they bump it to 10 years.  The verdict was more important than the sentencing IMHO.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, TwiceHorn said:

There was a pretty well documented history of people going to the wrong apartment on the wrong floor.  And very few good markings in the garage and elsewhere (those apartment numbers are fucking ridiculous) to alert people as to which floor they were on.  If the complex was aware of this and took no action to remedy it, they could be liable for the death.

See the upcoming civil suit.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, TwiceHorn said:

There was a pretty well documented history of people going to the wrong apartment on the wrong floor.  And very few good markings in the garage and elsewhere (those apartment numbers are fucking ridiculous) to alert people as to which floor they were on.  If the complex was aware of this and took no action to remedy it, they could be liable for the death.

Locks, too, possibly.

Especially the locks.  It was shown that they over-torqued the screws on the strike plate, causing it to deflect in a way that prevented the auto-shut feature from being effective.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

37 minutes ago, kevwun said:

Sometimes there is justice.  I still can't believe she admitted to hearing someone in the apartment before she went in.  That is what sealed it.

Yep - You can't reasonably claim to feel threatened in that situation.....and be justified.

A shooting instructor at the old Jeff Cooper school told a story about his working in a gun shop and having a robbery occur while he was carrying. 

Bad guy had a shotgun and inexplicably put it down to pick up something during the crime. 

Store owner (instructor) said he drew and put a 1911 to the criminal's temple, then called the police.

When asked later why he didn't just shoot the guy, his response was - "At that moment I didn't feel threatened".

She testified that she created the situation which lead to his death. There was no threat until she chose to open the door and enter the apartment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, DaysOff said:

We put a man on the moon 50 years ago, but can't come up with a weapon for cops that's in between taser and bullet. Something that will take a mother fucker down from a hundred yards and is non lethal. Star Trek had that shit.

I think if we can find a way to weaponize dog farts, you'll have your answer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, hopkinsnhorns said:

I think the O/U should be set at 9.5 years.  My money is that she gets 10 years.  Any more doesn't do anything to alleviate the pain of the deceased's family, nor is she more likely to be rehabilitated.  Honestly, 5 years probably gets the job done, but because of the optics of the case, they bump it to 10 years.  The verdict was more important than the sentencing IMHO.

I think you're setting the O/U in the right place.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

 

I really do think that was THE pivotal fact.  It turned the case from:

"I walked into my apartment, was startled to see someone there and acted instinctively to protect myself"

to

"I knew something was up in the apartment, and instead of pausing to assess the situation and figure out what was really going on, and instead of following my intensive training in procedure to wait outside and call for backup, I chose to go in and CREATE a confrontation that resulted in BJ's death."

Had the case facts been the first scenario, I truly think she would have been acquitted.  But the fact that it was scenario 2 sealed her fate.

yeah, and the thing is, it was an unforced error. it was not on cross - this admission was made on DIRECT.

how in the FUCK can the defense rehearse a direct with that fact as part of the testimony? 

the thinking i guess was to highlight that she was scared, but that was a fucking GROSS miscalculation. that admission got the jury to murder, i have no doubt about that now. hell, i said it at the time. shocking fact to reveal on direct. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

 

I really do think that was THE pivotal fact.  It turned the case from:

"I walked into my apartment, was startled to see someone there and acted instinctively to protect myself"

to

"I knew something was up in the apartment, and instead of pausing to assess the situation and figure out what was really going on, and instead of following my intensive training in procedure to wait outside and call for backup, I chose to go in and CREATE a confrontation that resulted in BJ's death."

Had the case facts been the first scenario, I truly think she would have been acquitted.  But the fact that it was scenario 2 sealed her fate.

My recollection was that she volunteered that on direct, also.  And I never heard anything that "required" her to admit that (other facts tending to show that was the case).  Thus, it appears to be a colossal blunder by the defense.

As to her cross, Hermus just did a great job.  I'm not sure there was much in the way of preparation that could have stopped that.  Maybe some senseless objections.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, hopkinsnhorns said:

Especially the locks.  It was shown that they over-torqued the screws on the strike plate, causing it to deflect in a way that prevented the auto-shut feature from being effective.

While that is not a good fact, it would have to have been known to the complex and gone uncorrected. It also seems like an isolated event.  

We don't know what the complex knew and failed to correct.  We do know that there were a lot of tenants going to the wrong apartment.  That seems somewhat more likely to be known to management than one fucked up strikeplate.  But if it was reported and uncorrected, that's a problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I should amend that to I thought they were going to blow this. At times I felt they were making the defense's case for them. I'm satisfied with being wrong. 


From the little I saw, I wasn’t overly impressed with Toby Shook and his defense team at all.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, boilerhorn said:

Question for the lawyers here:

Could allowing Guyger to testify be considered "ineffective assistance of counsel?"

No.  A strategic error generally can't meet that standard - it's a really high bar, which requires facts like counsel sleeping through witness testimony, failing to make a filing deadline, stuff like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, C-Man said:

 


From the little I saw, I wasn’t overly impressed with Toby Shook and his defense team at all.

 

They seemed wholly unprepared at some points.  Furthermore, she was an exceptionally bad witness.  For the defense, she felt rehearsed and intentionally dramatic at times, while failing to keep to the script on cross examination.  That combination of feeling both overly produced and subsequently unprepared did little to garner sympathy from the jury.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...