In the days since Amber Guyger was convicted of murdering Botham Jean and sentenced to 10 years in prison, there has been considerable backlash regarding the length of her sentence and the shows of support she received from both Botham’s younger brother and the judge presiding over the case. Now, Judge Tammy Kemp has finally responded to the harsh criticism.
Many were shocked to see Judge Tammy Kemp openly embrace convicted murderer Amber Guyger after she was sentenced to prison—and even more puzzled when she gave Guyger her personal bible, which has caused a formal complaint to be filed against her. For the first time, Judge Kemp is speaking out about the backlash, as reported by @TIME.
In her first interview addressing the case that has captivated the country, Judge Kemp said that she doesn’t understand where all of the anger and outrage from the public is coming from, as she felt that she was just doing what any good Christian would do. She also explained that part of the reason for her compassion to Guyger is because she claims she saw the woman change for the better during the trial.
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Judge Kemp stated:
“She asked me if I thought that God could forgive her and I said, ‘Yes, God can forgive you and has.’” If she wanted to start with the Bible, I didn’t want her to go back to the jail and to sink into doubt and self-pity and become bitter. Because she still has a lot of life ahead of her following her sentence and I would hope that she could live it purposefully.”
She continued, adding that it was Guyger who repeatedly asked her for a hug before she actually honored her request:
“Following my own convictions, I could not refuse that woman a hug. I would not.” And I don’t understand the anger. And I guess I could say if you profess religious beliefs and you are going to follow them, I would hope that they not be situational and limited to one race only.”
As we previously reported, Judge Kemp has a formal complaint filed against her by the Freedom From Religion Foundation because they believe her actions went against the practices of separation of church and state when she gifted Guyger with her bible.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
