Author Topic: 'Bo's Law' passes in Texas legislature; heads to Gov.'s desk  (Read 191 times)

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Online Elderberry

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WFAA 5/25/2021

A Texas law named in honor of Botham Jean is headed to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk.

The initial version of "Bo’s Law" would have clarified the state’s castle doctrine and eliminate loopholes used for some defenses. It would also make it an offense for police to turn off body cameras during investigations, among other moves for transparency, according to Rep. Carl Sherman, Sr.

However, the Texas Senate passed the a version of the bill Monday night that only dictated rules surrounding police use of body cameras; provisions related to the castle doctrine did not make it into the final version.

In September 2018, Jean, who was 26 years old at the time, was shot and killed by Amber Guyger in his own apartment. Guyger was an off-duty Dallas police officer who said she entered Jean’s apartment believing it was her own.

A year later, Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his murder.

Some critics told the committee they believe the definition of “investigation” is too broad. They have questions about how long body cameras should be activated under the bill, access to video by open records, funding, storage, and witness privacy rights among other things.

“This bill creates a third-degree felony for our law enforcement officers if they just get it wrong,” one law enforcement officer told the committee in April.

More: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/special-reports/botham-jean/texas-senate-passes-bos-law-heads-to-abbotts-desk/287-f8f71b24-e8e4-4e28-9022-6e0ff7cbd242