Amber Guyger, former Dallas police officer fired after fatally shooting a man in his apartment she says she mistook for her own, stood before a Dallas County judge Tuesday morning.
Guyger, appearing before Judge Tammy Kemp, was in court for the first time since her murder indictment in the death of Botham Shem Jean.
While it’s the first official step in the judicial process, Tuesday’s court appearance was for an announcement hearing, expected to be largely exploratory in nature. In announcement hearings, the defense typically seeks evidence from the prosecution or files to have charges dropped.
Guyger was seen arriving at the courthouse before the 9 a.m. hearing. Her attendance was expected but not required.
TIMELINE: The Botham Jean shooting
In September, Guyger entered Jean’s apartment – one floor directly above her own – at the South Side Flats apartment complex after a long shift. She claims to have mistaken Jean for an intruder in her apartment and shot him twice.
Guyger was arrested nearly 72 hours after the shooting. The investigation, muddied by controversy over contradicting warrants, was turned over to the Texas Rangers.
Guyger was fired on Sept. 24. A grand jury indicted the four-year police veteran on a murder charge on Nov. 30. She turned herself in at the Kaufman County Jail and was released on bond.