Amber Guyger Granted Parole After Serving Seven Years for the 2018 Murder of Botham Jean

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted in the 2018 killing of Botham Jean, has been granted parole after serving seven years of her ten-year prison sentence, according to reporting by NewsOne. NewsOne noted that local station NBC DFW reported there is currently no specific timeline established for when Guyger will officially be released from prison.

The fatal shooting occurred inside Jean’s apartment at the South Side Flats complex in Dallas, located two blocks from the Dallas Police headquarters where Guyger was employed. On the night of the incident, Guyger had just completed her shift and was still wearing her uniform. She lived on the floor directly beneath Jean’s unit but got off on his floor instead.

Guyger testified during her trial that she mistook Jean’s apartment for her own and mistakenly believed he was an intruder inside her residence. At the time Guyger entered the home, Jean was sitting inside eating ice cream. Despite key differences in the apartment's appearance and setup, Guyger drew her service weapon and shot Jean.

Following her trial, Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to ten years in prison, which she served at a correctional facility in Gatesville, Texas. According to NewsOne, Guyger was previously eligible for parole in 2024, but that initial request was denied following widespread public opposition. Jean’s family, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, and more than 6,300 people who signed an online petition actively protested her release at that time.

Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt issued a statement to NewsOne expressing profound disappointment over the parole board's latest ruling. Merritt emphasized that Jean was completely innocent, sitting in his own home when his life was taken, and highlighted his active role as a son, brother, and dedicated church member. Merritt noted that the original ten-year sentence was already a small fraction of what the family had lost, and releasing Guyger after seven years further undermines accountability.

In addition to the criminal proceedings, a civil trial jury found Guyger liable for Jean’s death, ordering her to pay $98.6 million in damages to the Jean family, according to NewsOne. The street where the Dallas Police headquarters sits has since been renamed in honor of Botham Jean.

As news of the parole decision spreads, civil rights leaders and community members continue to emphasize the importance of honoring Jean's memory and demanding systemic equity. Lee Merritt affirmed in his statement to NewsOne that advocates will continue to say Botham Jean’s name while working toward a justice system that holds everyone accountable equally.