Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
- Family and friends mourning 26-year-old Botham Jean, a black man killed by a Dallas cop last week are criticizing a judge's decision to grant multiple search warrants at Jean's apartment as part of the investigation into his death.
- Shortly after a memorial service for Jean on Thursday, a local Fox News affiliate reported on the results of one of the searches, noting in its story that a small amount of marijuana was found inside Jean's apartment.
- That story and the tweet that accompanied it prompted heavy backlash online Thursday.
Family and friends mourning 26-year-old Botham Jean, a black man killed by a Dallas cop last week are criticizing a judge's decision to grant multiple search warrants at Jean's apartment as part of the investigation into his death.
"This is nothing but a disgusting attempt to assassinate the character of a wonderful young man," attorney Benjamin Crump said. "It's the same old playbook: assassinate the character after they assassinate his person."
"He didn't kill anybody," Crump added. "He was killed. So why are they trying to assassinate his character now?"
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Thirty-year-old Guyger, a four-year veteran of the police department, told investigators she accidentally shot Jean, a 26-year-old who worked at the top accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Guyger claimed that she thought Jean was a burglar in her apartment. Guyger lives on the third floor of the apartment while Jean lived on the fourth floor. She has since been charged with manslaughter.
Shortly after Jean's funeral, the results of one of the searches were returned to a judge and became public.
The purpose of the search warrant was to look for clues pertaining to the case, including cartridge casings, fired projectiles, firearms, keys, evidence of blood, video surveillance systems, and contraband used in criminal offenses, according to Fox News affiliate KDFW-4.
Although the investigation noted a list of belongings at Jean's apartment, one particular entry — 10.4 grams of marijuana in zip lock bags — became a source of controversy.
On Thursday, KDFW tweeted "DEVELOPING: Search warrant: Marijuana found in Botham Jean’s apartment after deadly shooting" with its story, prompting journalists and social media personalities to consider whether that factoid was relevant in the case.
getting a search warrant AFTER an off-duty cop kills someone after unlawfully entering their home is just ??????????????
— ಠ_ಠ (@MikeIsaac) September 14, 2018
a story very worthy of continued intense scrutiny and national outlet coverage
Fire yourself and then fire your editors. https://t.co/KIN6BfInCP
— Tim Murphy (@timothypmurphy) September 13, 2018
If there was an award for the worst journalism this would be a really strong contender. Congratulations to everyone at Fox 4 News. https://t.co/L9Z5rNus1b
— Binyamin Appelbaum (@BCAppelbaum) September 13, 2018
Still wondering why some NFL players kneel?
— Paul Szoldra (@PaulSzoldra) September 13, 2018
It’s not about the flag. pic.twitter.com/dfz4EE4qkF
How in God's name is that relevant or newsworthy? https://t.co/G7EIPpjua8
— Jonathan Swan (@jonathanvswan) September 13, 2018
His apartment also contained an off duty homicidal cop. https://t.co/Nq5wDpmukq
— Kashana (@kashanacauley) September 13, 2018
So? Why is this news? Man was in his own house minding his own business. https://t.co/7kqEQhrq00
— Amanda Becker (@AmandaBecker) September 13, 2018
The original headline to the story, "Search warrant: Marijuana found in Botham Jean's apartment after deadly shooting" was later changed to "Lawyers 'disgusted' by release of search warrant showing marijuana found in Botham Jean's apartment."
Texas ranks as one of the most conservative states in the nation and enforces strict laws against recreational marijuana use. In order to qualify for medicinal marijuana in the state, a permanent resident must be suffering from "intractable epilepsy."
As of July, there were only three dispensaries in the state, according to The Texas Tribune: two in Austin and one in Schulenburg.
"I think it's unfortunate that law enforcement immediately began to criminalize the victim in this case," Lee Merritt, Jean's family attorney, said. "It has absolutely no bearing on the fact that he was shot in his home. I would love to see more information coming out about warrants executed on the home of the shooter."
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: Apple might introduce three new iPhones this year — here’s what we know