Former Police Officer Released After Serving Seven Years
Former police officer Amber Guyger has been released from prison on parole, nearly three years before her original 10-year sentence was scheduled to conclude. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed her release following a decision by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Guyger was convicted of murder in October 2019 for the 2018 shooting death of Botham Jean. The incident occurred when Guyger, who had just finished her shift, mistakenly entered Jean's apartment believing it was her own and shot him inside his home.
Parole Decision and Family Response
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted the early release, pointing to Guyger's satisfactory behavior while incarcerated, participation in employment programs, and lack of a documented pattern of violent or assaultive convictions. This decision followed a previous parole denial in 2024.
The ruling brought swift opposition from Botham Jean's family and legal representatives, who had argued that she should serve her full sentence. Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt expressed deep disappointment on behalf of the family, stating that a seven-year term diminishes the severity of the loss.
Civil Judgment and Department Statement
Aside from her criminal sentence, a federal civil jury found Guyger liable for Jean's death in 2024, ordering her to pay $98.6 million in damages after she did not appear or have legal representation during the proceedings.
The Dallas Police Department released a statement acknowledging the emotional weight of the parole decision for the community and emphasizing that local law enforcement had no authority over the parole board's ruling.
Sources: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, Dallas News, Yahoo.
