Hundreds of people pay tribute to Botham Jean, who "shared his love and joy with everyone" before the murder of the police



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Alexis Stossel said that it was difficult to summarize what John meant in words, but she did try some: "silly," "faithful," "the greatest outgoing accountant you've ever found" . But what encapsulated him the most was his definition of success, said his friend.

"We serve others through the messages we send … You succeed when you help others, not only when you are most able, but especially when you are," recalls Stossel, stopping to think about words. "Gosh, he was so successful, is not it? He was always serving others, even if it did not suit him."

His uncle, Ignatius Jean, told the mourners that his nephews had many interests – from geometry and astronomy to music, cooking, and beautiful costumes – and that he was so well read that he could stand up to topics. "His uncle will miss their speech," he said.

The funeral took place a day after the Dallas City Council session turned sour when the murder of Botham Jean was raised. Confusion about the lack of answers regarding how the Dallas police officer, Amber Guyger, disagrees with his police, confused his home with his – and how the authorities did not not charged for days City Council meeting the night before.

"When I got the phone, I was devastated, I was torn.I was torn.It's one of my brothers," said Minister Michael Griffin of Singing Hills Church of Christ. with a choir.

Griffin, who prayed at the funeral, told CNN in front of the service that he was consoling knowing that John "was a child of God". Named for the English cricketer Sir Ian Botham and Shem, Noah's son in the Bible, the native of Castries, St. Lucia was a generous soul who regarded everyone as a friend.

"He was the light, he did not look at color, he loved everyone," Griffin said. "It was a person who would give you the shirt of his back and his only purpose in life was to make humanity better, just to make you a better person, a better human being."

Many family members will watch Dallas service from St. Lucia, Griffin said, and the family will hold a separate, more traditional ceremony when his body is sent home.

"His smile lit up a room"

Crying in the Church of Christville Greenville Avenue, John's coffin sits at the front of the shrine. Two screens showed pictures of Jean laughing with friends, circling hoops, wearing sports suits, and spending his days at Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, the school where he graduated before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers .

His mother, Allison Jean, visited the coffin before kissing his comrades in the shrine, as other people who knew him or simply wished to pay homage to them arrived by car or bus.

According to the funeral program, Botham Jean participated in the student government of Harding, sang with the Good News Singers, and led the cult of the Church of Christ, of which he has always been a member.

"Botham had a contagious enthusiasm for life, his smile lit up a room, he was passionate about people and – because of his faith – shared his love and joy with everyone," says the program.

The page includes a Scripture passage, John 14: 1-4, which includes the verse: "And if I will prepare you a place, I will come back and I will take you to myself, where can I to be you too. "

"If you are white, you are right"

The solemn ceremony took place a day after a town council session was interrupted by protesters demanding answers to Jean's death. Guyger, who is white, was charged with manslaughter and told police that she was mistakenly thinking that Jean was in his apartment.

Residents and activists of the meeting condemned the deadly shooting and called for the upgrade of the Citizens' Review Board of the Police to give it powers of subpoena and summons. investigation to strengthen police accountability. Mayor Mike Rawlings called for a suspension and left the meeting when residents chanted, "No justice, no peace."

Rawlings later told the Dallas Morning News that he and the city's director and chief of police, Ulysha Renee Hall, had met with activists who wanted to review the Citizens' Police Review Board. Board members of 15 are appointed by the board members.
"He must have teeth, he must have power of summons, he must be able to hold these police officers accountable for what they do," said protester Olinka Green, according to KTVT, a subsidiary of CNN. . "Because if we did the same thing, you guarantee that we would be stuck."

Reggie Ruffin also expressed support for more police accountability.

"We have to restrict the police because the police clearly explained," If you're white, you're right, if you're black, we'll put you down, "Ruffin said.

He added, "And we will not live this way, we should not have to live like that."

Guyger on the link

The deadly shootout occurred at the South Side Flats in Dallas where Guyger and Jean both lived. His apartment is directly under Jean's.

Jean was alone at home when Guyger, still in uniform after his shift, came into his apartment, Hall said at the time of filming. Guyger parked his vehicle on the fourth floor, walked into the building and headed to what she thought was his apartment, according to a warrant arrest affidavit.

Amber Guyger and Botham Jean

According to the affidavit, the door was slightly ajar when Guyger tried to use his key with a chip. When she was able to open the door, she saw that the interior was almost completely dark. Guyger described seeing a tall figure and drew his gun thinking that there was a burglar in his apartment. She said that Jean had ignored her verbal orders and that she had fired two shots, hitting him once on the chest, said the affidavit. Jean died later in a hospital.

Guyger, a four-year veteran, was released on $ 300,000 bail after being charged on Sunday.

On Monday, protesters expressed anger at the deadly shooting. Police used "pepper balls" on some 200 protesters during a demonstration. Hall then criticized the use of the projectiles and ordered the investigators to review the case.

"They should only be used on the instruction of the commander on the spot or if there is an immediate threat to the public," said the chief. "I plan to meet directly with the leaders of the event to address their concerns."

Dominique Alexander, founder and president of Next Generation Action Network, told the council that he wanted to know that his two sons "would be safe in their own living room" and he wanted them to decide where they want to live. and start a family when they grow up.
Alexander was one of the activists who met with the mayor and the chief of police, reported the Dallas Morning News.

"I want to have Mrs Jean's confidence by sending her boy around the world," he said.

CNN's Marlena Baldacci, Pierre Meilhan, AnneClaire Stapleton and Ryan Young contributed to this report.

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