Stunning Moment of Forgiveness

There was a stunning moment of forgiveness last week in a courtroom in the United States. Most people in Australia would be unaware of the case but it is worth googling the news reports.

Former police officer Amber Guyger shot and killed a black man, named Botham Jean-when she mistakenly entered the wrong apartment. She saw Botham sitting there and shot him dead-thinking he had broken into her unit – but he was minding his own business in his own apartment. In a case of white cop killing unarmed and innocent black man, she was convicted of murder.

In court, Botham’s brother Brandt gave an emotional speech of Christian forgiveness for Amber – and then asked if he could hug her. It was one of the most stunning things you will see in a courtroom. Brandt Jean said his brother would have supported his gesture and the appeal to his killer to turn to Christ for the forgiveness that only God can give.

I’m Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches