Guyger, convicted of murder of Botham Jean in Dallas in 2018, served seven years of 10-year sentence
The former Dallas police officer who was convicted of murdering Botham Jean after entering his apartment and shooting him in 2018 was released from prison on Friday morning after spending seven years in prison.
Amber Guyger, 38, regained her freedom a little more than two weeks after the Texas board of pardons and paroles approved her release , despite opposition from Jean’s family.
The former officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after her murder conviction on 1 October 2019. Her parole was approved exactly seven years after that verdict.
The case against Guyger drew national attention after she fatally shot Jean, 26, inside his own Dallas apartment in September 2018.
During her trial, Guyger maintained that she had accidentally parked on the fourth floor of the garage at the apartment complex where she and Jean lived. Jean’s apartment was located one floor above hers.
Guyger testified that she believed she was entering her own residence when she walked into Jean’s apartment. According to her account, she attempted to unlock the door with her key when it pushed open.
She claimed she mistook Jean for a burglar and fired her weapon because she feared for her life. Jean had been eating ice-cream and watching television in his apartment when Guyger entered and shot him dead.
Guyger was taken into custody three days after the deadly shooting and was subsequently dismissed from the Dallas police department before standing trial.
A jury found her guilty of murder. She faced a possible sentence of life imprisonment. Jurors ultimately gave her a 10-year prison term.
Prosecutors had pushed for a minimum of 28 years, choosing that number to represent the age Jean would have reached at the time.
Guyger first sought parole in 2024. But the parole board denied her request.
When she became eligible to apply again, the board reversed course and granted her parole, allowing her to complete the remainder of her sentence under supervision.
After the decision granting her parole, Jean’s family released a statement to CBS News Texas expressing their continued grief and requesting privacy.
“Two days ago, the family of Botham Jean lovingly remembered their son and brother and celebrated his life on what would have been his birthday,” it read.
“Today, it was reported that Amber Guyger will be paroled and will serve the remainder of her sentence under supervision. The family of Botham Jean respectfully requests privacy at this time as they process this development and continue to navigate their grief.”
It continued: “To the many well-wishers who continue to say Botham’s name, honor his life, and carry his memory forward, the family extends their heartfelt gratitude for your continued love and support.”
While Guyger’s release on Friday marks the end of her time in custody after the 2018 killing, she remains subject to supervision for the remainder of her sentence.