A witness who testified in the murder trial that led to the conviction of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger for the death of Botham Jean was shot dead in his apartment complex parking lot.
Joshua Brown, 28, a neighbor of both Jean, 26, and Guyger, 31, provided key testimony as one of the few witnesses that came forward to speak about what he saw and heard the evening Jean was killed. Brown spoke tearfully on the witness stand about Jean, who he said could often be heard singing gospel music from his apartment. He told jurors during the trial that he heard a commotion and two shots fired the night that Guyger killed Jean.
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Brown was reportedly gunned down Friday night by an unknown assailant or assailants, in the same apartment complex where Jean was shot. Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased, because he was not carrying identification, but attorney S. Lee Merritt said Brown was the man who was killed.
“Joshua Brown, the next door neighbor of #BothamJean was killed last night after being shot several times by an unknown assailant,” Merritt posted on Instagram. “Brown worked closely with prosecutors just a week ago to ensure Amber Guyger was properly convicted in the murder trial, the DA’s office has fairly direct contact with Brown and his family. An ADA has confirmed that it was in fact Brown who was killed although they have yet to identify a suspect or motive for the shooting.” Merritt said in part.
“The case is now in the hands of the Dallas Police Department,” Merritt also said.
Dallas police have stated that there was a shooting at the Atera apartment complex on Friday evening and that a victim was transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital and died from his injuries.
“Several witnesses heard several gunshots and observed a silver four-door sedan leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed,” a statement from the Dallas Police Department said. They have not yet identified a motive or any suspects in the shooting.
Guyger was convicted of murder on Tuesday after shooting Jean when she entered his apartment, thinking it was her own. Guyger claimed she thought Jean was an intruder and fatally shot him inside his home. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison after unsuccessfully mounting a defense based on Texas “stand your ground” laws that pertain to protection from home invaders.
