Texas Metro News

Page 1

Remembering Lady Diahann Carroll

10/12/32 - 8/19/17

7/17/35 - 10/4/19

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith

Publisher

Attack issues

I was so looking forward to returning to the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee. It was Homecoming and while many were excited about the football matchup between Florida A&M University and North Carolina Central University; I had so many other things to look forward to. I was going to get a much-needed break after spending a week and a half covering a murder trial; I would get to celebrate anniversaries with sorority sisters, classmates, alumni and friends; there would be a show of all shows from the baddest band in the land, the Marching 100; I’d get to enjoy some really good cooking; and, I’d get to act like I was 21 again! Well, guess what? Folks in Tallahassee wanted to talk about the Amber Guyger Murder Trial in Dallas, TX. And boy, did I get an earful. I was practically overwhelmed by the conversations at the airport, on the plane, in the Uber, at restaurants, at the tailgates, waiting in line for the ladies room, at the game, and even parties, especially when people found out I was from Dallas. This was not what my 21-year-old self was in the mood for. And yes, I received phone calls, emails and text messages to add to the drama of social media platforms. Which brings me to my truth. I was determined to not let the trial See MY TRUTH, page 6

VOL.8 NO. 4 October 9, 2019

Remembering Dick Gregory

One-on-One with Judge Tammy Kemp

I WAS JUST The Truth, The Whole Truth THINKING... and Nothing but the Truth By Norma Adams-Wade

By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

I Messenger Media (Texas Metro News/Garland Journal/I Messenger) sat down recently with Judge Tammy Kemp to discuss criticism she has received as a result of her actions following the conclusion of the Amber Guyger murder trial last week. On October 1, 2019, Ms. Guyger, a former Dallas police officer, was convicted by a Dallas County jury of murder for fatally shooting 26-year-old Botham Shem Jean, in his apartment at the Southside Flats on September 6, 2018. Ms. Guyger claimed self-defense as she said she thought she was in her apartment and that Mr. Jean was an intruder. Mr. Jean’s apartment, #1478, was located on the fourth floor and Guyger’s apartment, #1378, was located directly beneath his on the third floor. The jury found her guilty of murder and sentenced Ms. Guyger to serve 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. After Judge Kemp read the jury’s punishment verdict, she thanked the

Judge Tammy Kemp and Mrs. Allison Jean (Botham’s mom) hug

photo: screenshot

jury for their service, released them from the court’s previous restrictions regarding reading or watching coverage or engaging in/consuming social media content about the trial and offered contact information for counseling services should they find themselves in need of assistance following the trial. The jury exited the courtroom, the trial was over and the court was officially off the record. However, as is customary in any case where there is a victim of a crime, the

victim’s family has a right to make a victim impact statement to the defendant before he/she is transported from the courtroom. In this case, Brandt Jean, the 18-year-old brother of Botham Jean, took the witness stand to address Amber Guyger directly and delivered an undoubtedly unexpected, yet powerful message of forgiveness and love to the woman who took his brother’s life. Then in a stunning turn of events, the victim’s brother asked Judge Kemp if he could “give her a hug.”

See JUDGE KEMP, page 8

He pleaded with Judge Kemp, “Please.” There was a brief pause of silence before Judge Kemp responded, “Yes.” Mr. Brandt descended from the witness stand and approached Ms. Guyger, who ran to him and they embraced and whispered to each other for a couple of minutes before releasing from the embrace and returning to their respective seats. Next Judge Kemp walked over to the Jean Family and after a short conversation, there were embraces. The next exchange was between Judge Kemp and Ms. Guyger and also ended in an unexpected hug; one that not only sent shock waves across the nation but has drawn fire from the African American community in particular as well as a formal complaint filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I Messenger reached out to Judge Kemp to provide the facts and set the record straight on several issues that were raised during and after the trial. I Messenger: Explain the difference between a

HISTORIC FOOTPRINTS

I have been traveling the streets of my native Dallas for more years than I care to recall. While traveling, I often recall c o nve r s a t i o n s Hon. David Perry I’ve had about footprints. There are a lot of deep African American footprints around this tinsel

I Messenger Media welcomes veteran journalist Norma Adams-Wade. We hope you will enjoy her insightful, informative and entertaining columns. town. Historic footprints are all over the 8th and 10th streets area near Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center. Let’s save Yvonne A. Ewell for another time and just talk about the streets across from the popular school. I call this small section of Oak Cliff my personal Catfish Row, referring to the setting in George Gershwin’s world-famous 1935 folk opera Porgy and Bess. The production -- starring a trailblazing all-African American cast that wrestled with life in a staged Charleston, South Carolina shantytown -- later became a 1959 movie and featured stars including Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge See THINKING, page 4


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