Amber Guyger Released From Texas Prison After Serving Seven Years for Botham Jean Murder
Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger is released on parole after serving seven years for the 2018 fatal shooting of Botham Jean in his apartment.
POLICY WIRE — Gatesville, United States — Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger walked out of a Gatesville prison on Friday morning after serving seven years behind bars for the 2018 fatal shooting of her neighbor, Botham Jean.
Guyger, now 38, secured her freedom just over two weeks after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted her release.
The high-profile tragedy unfolded in September 2018 when Guyger mistakenly entered Jean’s fourth-floor apartment, believing she was walking into her own home.
Mistaking Jean for an intruder, the off-duty officer shot and killed him inside his own residence.
A Texas jury convicted Guyger of murder on October 1, 2019, handing down a 10-year prison sentence.
The state parole board officially approved her release exactly seven years after her conviction.
Rodgers, a representative, noted that Guyger remains deeply remorseful and spent her time behind bars participating in rehabilitation programs to ensure she becomes a productive member of society.
According to Rodgers, the former officer has already secured both employment and a residence.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice outlined strict conditions for her release, barring Guyger from living in Dallas County.
She is also prohibited from contacting Jean’s family or Dallas police officers, and cannot leave Texas without prior approval.
The release coincides with a painful milestone for the victim’s loved ones, who recently gathered to celebrate what would have been Botham Jean’s birthday.
In a statement, the Jean family acknowledged the news of her parole and requested privacy from the public while they continue navigating their profound grief.
The family also expressed deep gratitude to well-wishers worldwide who continue to honor Botham’s memory and say his name.
Lee Merritt, an attorney who previously represented the Jean family, voiced strong opposition to the board’s choice, stating he was deeply disappointed by the outcome.
Botham’s family and the community strongly opposed this parole, Merritt said, adding that supporters repeatedly asked for the full sentence to be enforced.
A 10-year sentence was already a fraction of what was lost, Merritt said, emphasizing that releasing Guyger after seven years diminishes the weight of the tragedy within the justice system.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Police Department released a statement acknowledging that the ruling may stir renewed emotion and attention regarding the fatal incident.
The department clarified that parole decisions rest entirely with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, meaning local police had no authority or involvement in the final decision.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
