‘No hard feelings’: Javier Ambler’s father embraces defendants following not guilty verdict

Following four hours of deliberation, jurors found two former Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies not guilty of manslaughter related to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following four hours of deliberation, jurors found two former Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies not guilty of manslaughter Thursday night related to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler.

Once the court was dismissed, the families of defendants James Johnson and Zach Camden rushed to embrace the former deputies. Some with tears in their eyes.

Moments later, Javier Ambler Sr., Ambler's father, approached the defense counsel, offering a handshake. He then turned first to Johnson, shook his hand and embraced him in a hug—then did the same with Camden.

Ambler told the men ‘no hard feelings’ before turning and walking out the courtroom doors.

In March 2019, Johnson attempted to pull Ambler over for failure to dim headlights, which then led to a 20-minute police chase that ended with Ambler crashing at St. John's and Bethune Avenue in Austin.

Both Johnson and Camden deployed Tasers, and Ambler died during the interaction.

On the final day of the trial, Ken Ervin delivered closing arguments for the defense, stating there was proof Ambler’s health was in a fragile state. He also pointed to law enforcement experts who testified during the trial that Johnson and Camden acted within reason to Ambler’s resistance.

“The simple fact is Javier Ambler died a surrendering man, a complying man, and a begging man,” prosecutor Dexter Gilford said in closing arguments.

The trial for the former deputies lasted nine days.