An activist atheist group has filed a complaint against the judge in the widely covered case of off-duty Dallas cop Amber Guyger, who was sentenced to ten years behind bars on Wednesday for the killing of Botham Jean.
Guyger shot and killed Jean after she says she mistakenly entered the wrong apartment, believing the 26-year-old accountant was an intruder in her own home.
To the disapproval of the atheist group Freedom From Religion Foundation, Judge Tammy Kemp confronted Guyger with her own personal Bible, highlighting a verse from the Gospel of John concerning redemption through Jesus Christ.
“After speaking to Botham Jean’s family, Judge Kemp left the room to get her personal Bible,” NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reported Wednesday. “She returned to the courtroom and read a passage to Guyger, telling her ‘this is where you need to start,’ and ‘this has been put in front of you for a reason.’ Kemp gave her personal Bible to Guyger and the two hugged before Guyger exited the courtroom.”
Judge Kemp reportedly highlighted verse 16 of chapter three in the Gospel of John: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Freedom From Religion Foundation files complaint against Judge Tammy Kemp over her exchange with Amber Guyger at the end of the proceedings yesterday. pic.twitter.com/1X7KXANxze
— Blake Hanson (@BlakeFox4News) October 3, 2019
“This is wrong on several levels, not the least of which is using a public office to promote her personal religion to someone who she is sentencing,” complained Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Andrew Seidel. “It’s unconstitutional and wildly inappropriate for a judge. She should know better. And all that’s only one level.”
“[Freedom From Religion Foundation] is filing a judicial complaint about this unconstitutional proselytizing,” he added. “We need more compassion in our criminal justice system, but here, compassion crossed the line into coercion. Judges cannot impose their personal religion on others.”
.@FFRF is filing a judicial complaint about this unconstitutional proselytizing. We need more compassion in our criminal justice system, but here, compassion crossed the line into coercion. Judges cannot impose their personal religion on others. https://t.co/z3yziEqULv
— Andrew L. Seidel (@AndrewLSeidel) October 3, 2019
“FFRF is urging the commission to investigate Kemp’s actions at the close of the trial: gifting a bible, instructing a convicted criminal on how to read the bible and which passages to pay attention to, and proselytizing and witnessing to that convicted murderer. These judicial actions were inappropriate and unconstitutional, FFRF contends,” the group outlined the complaint, which was filed on Thursday.
Freedom From Religion Foundation files complaint against Judge Tammy Kemp over her exchange with Amber Guyger at the end of the proceedings yesterday. pic.twitter.com/1X7KXANxze
— Blake Hanson (@BlakeFox4News) October 3, 2019
Nonprofit law firm First Liberty Institute has already responded to the complaint, offering up representation for Judge Kemp if it is required of her.
“Judge Kemp should be permitted to be human, including the parts of her humanity informed by her religious beliefs. Indeed, any judge that hands any holy writ to anyone in an effort to encourage the improvement of his or her life is worth legally defending,” said Jeremy Dys, special counsel for litigation and communications at First Liberty Institute.
“FFRF is protesting Judge Kemp rather than joining the rest of the nation celebrating the compassion and mercy Judge Kemp demonstrated,” a statement from Hiram Sasser, general counsel for the nonprofit, reads. “We should all be thankful the law allows Judge Kemp’s actions and we stand with her and will gladly lead the charge in defending her noble and legal actions.”
Judge Kemp’s embrace of Guyger was preceded by Jean’s younger brother Brandt displaying a stunning act of compassion to the woman who killed his brother.
“I wasn’t ever going to say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail,” Brandt told Guyger. “I want the best for you because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do. And the best would be to give your life to Christ. I’m not going to say anything else. I think giving your life to Christ would be the best thing that Botham would want you to do. Again, I love you as a person and I don’t wish anything bad on you.”
Brandt then asked permission from Judge Kemp to give Guyger a hug, which she allowed. Guyger, wailing in tears, was then comforted by an embrace from Brandt.
Amber Guyger sentenced to 10 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Botham Jean. After her sentencing, his brother forgave her and embraced her. https://t.co/xIExvp4qsl pic.twitter.com/eVUuwyiMky
— FOX 4 NEWS (@FOX4) October 2, 2019
Related: DYS: Judge Tammy Kemp Is A Model For Us All
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