The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted parole on Thursday to former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who was convicted of murder for the 2018 fatal shooting of Botham Jean in his apartment. Guyger served seven years of a 10-year sentence before the board approved her release, reversing an earlier denial in 2024 despite strong objections from Jean’s family and community advocates.
Board Cites Rehabilitation and Lack of Violent History
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles cited several factors in approving Guyger’s parole, including her lack of prior violent convictions, satisfactory institutional adjustment during incarceration, and completion of rehabilitation programs designed to support stable employment upon release.
A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice confirmed that no official release date has been set for Guyger at this time. She was housed at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, approximately 37 miles west of Waco.
Family and Advocates Express Disappointment
Botham Jean’s family released a statement requesting privacy as they process the decision. “Today, it was reported that Amber Guyger will be paroled and will serve the remainder of her sentence under supervision,” the family said. “We respectfully request privacy at this time as we continue to navigate our grief.”
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who represented Jean’s family during the trial, expressed deep disappointment. “Botham’s family and the community strongly opposed this parole,” Merritt said. “They stood up again and again to ask that the full sentence be served. A 10-year sentence was already a fraction of what was lost. Releasing Ms. Guyger after seven years makes that loss feel even smaller in the eyes of the system.”
Details of the 2018 Shooting
On the night of September 6, 2018, Guyger, then 37, returned to her apartment at the South Side Flats complex near downtown Dallas after working a nearly 14-hour shift. She mistakenly entered Jean’s fourth-floor apartment, believing it was her own third-floor unit.
Guyger testified during her 2019 trial that she encountered Jean inside the apartment and fired two shots, believing he was an intruder. Jean, 26, was shot while eating ice cream in his own home. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Guyger was arrested three days after the shooting and was fired from the Dallas Police Department 18 days later. In October 2019, a Dallas County jury found her guilty of murder after roughly six hours of deliberation. She was the first Dallas police officer convicted of murder since 1973.
Legal Proceedings and Civil Judgment
During sentencing, prosecutors highlighted racist text messages and social media posts attributed to Guyger, including a joke about the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. These materials were introduced as evidence of bias and character concerns.
In November 2024, a federal jury awarded Jean’s family $98.65 million in damages in a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Guyger. The family had initially sought $54.4 million but stated any funds collected would be used to help others, in keeping with Jean’s values.
In March 2026, Jean’s family filed a separate civil lawsuit against the City of Dallas, seeking nearly $100 million in damages. The suit alleges that the city contributed to the circumstances leading to Jean’s death by assigning officers excessive overtime, resulting in fatigue and impaired judgment.
Parole History and Public Response
Guyger first became eligible for parole on September 29, 2024-halfway through her sentence-and what would have been Jean’s 33rd birthday. She was initially denied at that review following public protests, including a petition signed by more than 6,300 people, and opposition from the Dallas County District Attorney’s office.
Her legal team maintained a “mistake of fact” defense throughout proceedings, arguing that Guyger genuinely-but mistakenly-believed she was in her own apartment and acted in self-defense. Prosecutors countered that her error was unreasonable and showed extreme carelessness.
The Dallas Police Department issued a statement acknowledging the emotional weight of the parole decision but reiterating that parole decisions are made solely by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. “Our thoughts remain with the Jean family and all those impacted by his loss,” the department said.
Legacy of Botham Jean
Botham Jean was a native of Castries, Saint Lucia, who moved to the United States to attend Harding University in Arkansas. He graduated near the top of his class and worked as an accountant at a leading professional services firm. He was also a worship leader at the Dallas West Church of Christ and was known for his kindness, faith, and commitment to social justice.
Jean’s family has said he dreamed of returning to Saint Lucia one day to run for political office. In the years since his death, his name has become synonymous with calls for police accountability and criminal justice reform across Texas and beyond.
Community Impact and Ongoing Advocacy
Jean’s killing sparked widespread protests in Dallas and helped galvanize broader movements for police oversight and transparency. His case underscored longstanding concerns about racial disparities in policing and the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers.
Advocates continue to push for legislative changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies, including reforms around officer training, fatigue management, and independent review of police-involved shootings. Jean’s family remains active in advocating for justice and accountability, ensuring his memory lives on through ongoing efforts for systemic change.
Key Facts About the Case
- Date of Incident: September 6, 2018
- Victim: Botham Jean, age 26
- Perpetrator: Amber Guyger, off-duty Dallas police officer
- Conviction: Murder, October 1, 2019
- Sentence: 10 years in prison
- Time Served: 7 years
- Parole Decision: Granted October 1, 2026
- Civil Judgment: $98.65 million awarded to Jean family (November 2024)
