It sometimes seems that no good deed goes unpunished…and often elicits a complaint.
A Dallas judge earlier this week gave Amber Guyger a Bible, read her John 3:16 and embraced her after she was convicted for an accidental fatal shooting, as Metro Voice reported. The next day, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed a complaint against Judge Tammy Kemp with the Texas government agency that looks into allegations of judicial misconduct, according to CBN News.
The organization believes the judge crossed an ethical line after she sentenced Guyger to 10 years in prison. Guyger, who is white, was sentenced for shooting and killing Botham Jean, a black man, in his apartment, which she claimed she mistook for her apartment.
Kemp allowed Jean’s brother to address her directly from the witness stand, as reported in Metro Voice. Brandt Jean told Guyger that he believes his brother would have wanted her to turn her life over to Christ and that if she asks God for forgiveness, she will get it.
“I want the best for you,” he said. “That’s exactly what Botham would want you to do, and the best would be to give your life to Christ. I love you as a person. I don’t wish anything bad on you. I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want.”
Kemp did not respond to requests for comment. However, her former boss, ex-Dallas prosecutor Craig Watkins, told a newspaper that Kemp is guided by faith and that he doesn’t believe her actions were out of bounds.
In response to the complaint, Hiram Sasser, general counsel for the First Liberty Institute, said in a statement, “FFRF is protesting Judge Kemp rather than joining the rest of the nation celebrating the compassion and mercy Judge Kemp demonstrated. 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.”
– Alan Goforth | Metro Voice News