For months, Amber Guyger believed she would walk out of this courtroom and go back to her life. She was a police officer. But one single mistake changed everything. She walked into an apartment she believed was her own. Inside, she saw a man she didn't recognize. In seconds, she raised her service weapon and fired. >> 911. This is Carlo. What's your emergency? >> I'm an offduty officer. I thought it was in my apartment and I shot a guy thinking that he was thinking it was my apartment. >> One decision in one quiet hallway brought us to this exact moment when Amber Guyger realized she was going to prison. Amber Guyger was a 31-year-old police officer with the Dallas Police Department. She had served the force for over 4 years and was a patrol officer at the time of the incident. According to Amber Guyger's account, she had just finished a long shift and mistakenly parked on the wrong floor of her apartment complex. Instead of entering her apartment, she walked into Botham Jeans. His apartment was directly above hers and by a terrible coincidence, the doors were somewhat similar. Guyger claimed she believed she was walking into her own home and saw a silhouette of a man inside. Believing he was an intruder, she drew her weapon and fired two shots, striking Jean once in the chest. >> Jon, this is Carlo. Where's your emergency? >> Hi, this is off duty officer. Um, can I get I need emails? Um, I miss >> I'm an offduty officer. I thought I was in my apartment and I shot a guy thinking that he was thinking it was my apartment. I'm >> Oh my god. Okay, we have help on the way. >> I know, but I'm I'm going to lose my job. >> Over here. Over here. >> Okay, go ahead and talk to me. >> No, it's me. I'm off duty. I'm off duty. I I thought they were in my apartment. I thought this was my floor. >> Botham Gene was rushed to the hospital, but he didn't survive. Initially, Guyger was arrested on manslaughter charges 3 days after the shooting, but public pressure was intense. Civil rights groups, activists, and Botham's family demanded more. They believed the charge didn't reflect the seriousness of what had happened. Eventually, a grand jury indicted her for murder, and the trial date was set. And from here, the nation began to watch closely, not just because of the tragic circumstances, but because this case echoed a larger discussion in America, policing, race, and accountability. In September 2019, Amber Guyger's trial began. They said Guyger's actions were unreasonable. She didn't follow proper protocol. She failed to notice obvious signs that she was in the wrong apartment, including the red welcome mat outside Jean's door and the different layout inside. Prosecutors claimed she acted recklessly and her actions cost an innocent man his life. >> And why did you shoot? >> Because I was scared that he was going to come at me and kill me. That was your reason? >> Yes, sir. I was scared and I I thought he was advancing towards me. He had a weapon. >> And then when you found out you shot an innocent man, what did you think? >> Everything changed. >> Guyer's attorneys argued that it was a tragic mistake. They painted her as a tired officer who had made a human error. They said she feared for her life and responded as any trained officer might. As the reality began to sink in, Amber Guyger could no longer hold herself together. Her shoulders shook, her voice trembled. She tried to explain how sorry she was, how she never meant for any of this to happen. It's okay. I was scared. I was scared this person in the apartment was going to [laughter] hurt me. And I'm so sorry. >> Sorry. No police officer [laughter] ever would want to hurt an innocent person. [snorts and laughter] >> I'm sorry. >> I can't I can't understand. >> Sky girls, take a second to collect yourself before. But in that moment, it became clear that no matter what she said now, the outcome had already been decided. On October 1st, 2019, the jury returned its verdict. Guilty of murder. >> We the jury unanimously find the defendant, Amber Guyger, guilty of murder as charged in the indictment. No outburst. >> The courtroom gasped. Many began to cry. Some cheered quietly. Others simply sat in shock. Amber Guyger, standing alone in front of the court, wept, her shoulders shaking. Both Jean's mother and father, who had sat quietly throughout much of the trial, raised their heads and hands, giving thanks. Justice had been served, at least in the eyes of many. During the victim impact statements, both Jean's younger brother, Brandt Gene, took the stand. He looked at Amber Guyger and then said something that stunned everyone. If you truly are sorry, I know I can speak for myself. I I forgive you. And I know if you go to God and ask him, he will forgive you. And I I wasn't going to ever say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don't even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you because I know that's what that's exactly what both of them would want you to do. >> He then turned to the judge and asked if he can give her a hug. There was a long pause. The judge nodded and Brandt Jean stepped down and hugged Amber Guyger. Not a quick hug, but a long emotional embrace. Guyer sobbed into his shoulder as people in the courtroom cried. >> [snorts] >> Moments later, Judge Tammy Kemp did something unheard of. She left the bench, walked over to Guyger, hugged her, and handed her a Bible. This moment made headlines around the world. Some called it beautiful. Others called it problematic, while many were moved by the moment of forgiveness. Others were outraged. Civil rights activists asked, "Would a black defendant ever receive this kind of compassion from a judge?" Was it appropriate for a judge to hug a convicted felon in open court? Did this act of grace undermine the justice that the family fought so hard for? Still, the case remained divisive. Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison with eligibility for parole after 5 years. assessed the defendant's punishment at 10 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. In addition, we assessed a fine of $0. Many felt the sentence was too light for a murder conviction. Botham's mother, Allison Jean, while appreciative of the guilty verdict, expressed disappointment at the short sentence. She said, "This should never have happened. I will continue to fight for reform. This is not the end." Amber Guyger later filed appeals arguing that the evidence did not support a murder conviction and should have been considered criminally negligent homicide, but the appeals court upheld her conviction in 2021. She remains behind bars as of now. This case will forever be remembered not just for the tragedy, but for the unexpected moment of forgiveness that sparked a national conversation. Can justice and forgiveness coexist? Was the hug an act of healing or an insult to accountability? What would you have done if you were in that courtroom? Let us know your thoughts below. And if this story moved you, share it. Someone out there may need to hear this today. Don't forget to watch the next video on your screen. I'll see you there.