Attorneys for a former Dallas police officer charged with murder filed a change of venue motion today to have the trial moved out of Dallas County and Fannin County is on the list of possibilities.
In September 2018, 30-year-old Amber Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean in his own apartment, however, she claims she walked into the wrong apartment and shot him mistakenly thinking he was an intruder in her apartment.
According to Fox 4 News, Guyger’s attorneys said “media hysteria” led them to ask for the case to be moved out of Dallas County. It called coverage by local and national outlets “pervasive, prejudicial, and inflammatory” and “replete with falsehoods and speculation.” The filing also singles out former Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson, accusing her of “malfeasance.”
Guyger’s legal team would like the trial moved to either Collin, Grayson, Kaufman, Ellis, Rockwall or Fannin County.
Judge Tammy Kemp will review the change of venue request and make a ruling within the next few weeks. If the trial remains in Dallas County, it is set to begin on September 23, 2019.
The trial is scheduled to start September 23rd with jury selection set to begin on the first anniversary of Jean’s death.
