Lee Meritt says he had one demand: "We want to know why that person is not in handcuffs yet." DA couldn't answer that question, he said. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Meritt says he brought new evidence to the DA. An interview was done that he thinks will lead to #AmberGuyger being charged. Merritt said for that reason, he's not going to release that information to the public right now. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Remember: Dallas Chief Hall said on Fri that at her request, a warrant would be issued charging #AmberGuyger with manslaughter. On Sat, she said the Texas Rangers, who are handling the investigation, asked that a warrant be held while they investigate #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Attorneys for the Jean family said they just want answers.
"He went to his grave never knowing why a police officer came to his door and shot him." #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
The family is asking why #AmberGuyger hasn't been arrested. I've been checking jail records all day and her name has not come up. They want equal justice. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Sen. West: This is not a police officer that was on duty. This was a police officer in a civilian status. Why isn't this police officer (#AmberGuyger) under arrest? Justice demands she be arrested and processed through the criminal justice system. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: Family attorneys brought forward a witness and video evidence, not of the shooting itself. The narrative that is being pushed by DPD is challenged by the evidence that was brought up. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: The Texas Rangers said they wanted to "go slower" in the investigation, which is why they pulled back on the warrant for #AmberGuyger.
West: "Justice will be served in this case ... what I ask if that you hold back, let us get the investigation done. But what I demand is that she be arrested for the crime she committed" #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: We know she (#AmberGuyger) used her service weapon ... when people saw her in the public, they believed she was a police officer ... for us, it enhances the culpability #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: Evidence they presented today contradicts what #AmberGuyger is claiming happened. (there should be an arrest warrant issued, he said later)
West: That's something they can bring up at a grand jury or a trial..that shouldn't be considered in terms of whether or not probable cause exists (ie: if the shooting was an accident). #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: Details on rumors of the interaction between the two are still unknown. "We don't know what happened, we would love to know what happened" they told the DA. What's available in the public domain is probable cause for arrest #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: Rumors of disagreements between DPD on if it's murder or manslaughter and that leading to it being handed to the Texas Rangers cannot be confirmed. "From my understanding that's not true." #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
West: Citizens need to know that there is no double standard. Based on the facts known today ... she (#AmberGuyger) should have been arrested because there is probable cause. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Crump: West is there not as an attorney, but because Botham Jean lived in his district. "We're saying everybody deserves due justice of the law ... an arrest is not a conviction but certainly Botham Jean deserves due process of the law." #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
Merritt: Authorities can't justify why #AmberGuyger hasn't been arrested. "This is three days later, it's not that we can't find the suspect...not that we don't have enough evidence...it's that we refuse to make an arrest...that's not fair to this community." #BothamJean
Merritt: DA brought up the #RoyOliver case -- Merritt says he has seen the department go after police officers who have done wrong. But all of that means nothing to the Jean family and this situation. #BothamJean#BothamShemJean
During a press conference yesterday, Merritt said: "Everyone we’ve spoke to today provides enough evidence for a charge of manslaughter ... there is likely evidence for an even stiffer penalty.”
Today a jury will decide what #RoyOliver's punishment should be. He was found guilty yesterday of murdering #JordanEdwards. Jurors will hear from people in Oliver's life beginning around 8:30 a.m.
Defense to jury: Today you'll hear about the "real" #RoyOliver "The family
man, the father, the husband, the dedicated soldier, the dedicated police officer, the dedicated human being."
First witness is Liz Greer, 19. She grew up in #BalchSprings. Plays soccer at a college in Texas now. She's known #RoyOliver 5-6 yrs. Says he was "active in the community." Her mom was on council, Greer says Oliver would go to city events. He talked to ftbll players at her HS