10/01/2026
Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was granted parole after serving seven years of her 10-year prison sentence for the 2018 murder of her neighbor, Botham Jean.
The decision was confirmed by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. Guyger, who is white, was convicted of murder in 2019 for the fatal shooting of Jean, a 26-year-old Black accountant from St. Lucia. The shooting occurred on September 6, 2018, when Guyger walked into Jean's apartment after an off-duty shift, later claiming she mistakenly believed it was her own unit and that Jean was an intruder. At the time of the shooting, Jean was unarmed and eating ice cream in his living room.
Key Details of the Parole Approval
Sentence Served: Guyger served seven years of the 10-year sentence handed down during her 2019 trial.
Prior Denial: Her initial application for parole was rejected in 2024, at which point she was ordered to wait until her next eligibility window.
Board's Rationale: State officials cited her lack of a prior criminal record, a clean disciplinary history while incarcerated, and the successful completion of prison treatment programs as factors in their decision.
Family Opposition: The parole was heavily opposed by Botham Jean's family and their legal representatives, who expressed deep disappointment over her early release.
State officials have not yet publicly released the specific discharge date for her release from prison.
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Source: Reuters