Judge Tammy Kemp has gotten more media attention than she could have ever imagined thanks to the ‘hug seen around the world.’
While some have applauded the public official for her unique display of compassion for Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer who had just been convicted of killing her innocent Black neighbor in his home, Kemp says most of the commentary has been overwhelmingly negative as her office has been flooded with hate mail (e-mails and letters), phone calls, and fiery social media posts for what critics and legal experts alike are branding ‘unprofessional’ and ‘unethical’ courtroom behavior.
Nearly a week after the guilty verdict was handed down, the judge is on a media blitz to respond to the ongoing backlash and clear her name. In addition to speaking with local Texas outlets, she sat down for an interview with CNN where she was reduced to tears recounting Guyger’s remorse over the unfortunate incident.
See this and more inside:
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Taking to CNN in a segment that aired Monday (October 7), Kemp said to the convicted killer:
“‘Ms. Guyger — Mr. Jean has forgiven you. Please forgive yourself, so you can have a purposeful life.’ And she asked me, ‘Do you think my life can still have a purpose?’ And I said, ‘I know it can.’”
As the exchange continued, Kemp claims Guyger asked, “Do you think God will forgive me?” Assuring the convicted killer He would, Kemp claims Guyger added, “Well, I don’t even have a Bible. I don’t know where to begin.” The judge explained to CNN, “And that’s when I went to retrieve my Bible and gave it to her.”
When asked about the ongoing backlash from critics and legal experts, Kemp said:
“Frankly, I don’t think I would getting this criticism if Miss Guyger were a Black woman. I hate that we limit our compassion to one race.”
Click here to watch her tearful recount with CNN.
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Her interviews didn’t stop there. Look below to see what she told Dallas reporters about incident: