Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger granted parole after conviction in Botham Jean murder

A former Dallas police officer was granted parole Thursday, just under seven years after she was convicted of killing her neighbor in a 2018 shooting.

Amber Guyger, 38, was granted parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, the board said in a statement. In 2019, Guyger was convicted of the murder of Botham Jean, a 26-year-old Black man.

Guyger told authorities she shot Jean after mistakenly entering her apartment, thinking it was hers, authorities said. She told authorities she thought Jean was an intruder. Jean was eating ice cream in his living room and was not armed, according to authorities.

The former police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison for this crime. Prosecutors asked jurors to sentence Guyger to at least 28 years.

The Texas commission said Guyger was granted parole because she did not have a documented pattern of violent arrests, “maintained satisfactory institutional adjustment” and completed programs “that are expected to improve the chances of obtaining and maintaining stable, full-time employment” while in prison.

Guyger initially became eligible for parole on September 29, 2024. Her initial review took place on October 10, 2024 and resulted in a denial of parole, with her next review scheduled around October 2026.

During his trial, questions were raised about the role race might have played in the murder.

Prosecutors revealed racist text messages sent by the former police officer, unrelated to Jean or his murder.

One of the texts was about the Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Dallas in 2018.

“When does this end lol,” an officer wrote to Guyger.

“When MLK is dead…oh wait…” she joked.

Two days before Guyger killed Jean, she texted someone who had just adopted a German shepherd.

The dog’s owner wrote that the dog “might be racist.”

Guyger replied, “It’s okay…I’m the same.”

Prosecutors said Jean was watching television and eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream in her living room shortly before 10 p.m. when Guyger burst inside and shot her.

Guyger testified that she used her electronic key fob to open Jean’s door and immediately drew her service weapon once inside.

Prosecutors said the trajectory of the bullet showed Jean getting up from his couch or cowering when Guyger shot him.

Jean’s family’s attorney, Lee Merritt, said in a statement to NBC News Dallas-Fort Worth that the family was “disappointed by the decision.”

“A 10-year sentence is already a fraction of what was lost,” Merritt said. “Ms. Guyger’s release after seven years makes this loss even smaller in the eyes of the system. It is not. The family still lives with this loss every day.”

Jean’s family said in a statement Thursday that they are requesting privacy at this time.

“To all the many well-wishers who have continued to speak Botham’s name and carry his memory forward, they would like to express their thanks for their continued support,” the family said in a statement.

Jean’s brother, Brandt Jean, said he forgave Guyger at his 2019 sentencing.

“Personally, I want the best for you,” he said at the time. “I wasn’t even going to say this in front of my family, but I don’t even want you to go to prison. I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want you to do: give your life to Christ.”

Dallas police said in a statement that they had “no role in this decision.”

“The Dallas Police Department understands that this decision may spark renewed attention and emotion surrounding the tragic death of Botham Jean,” the department said. “Our thoughts are with the Jean family and all those affected by his loss.”

Jean grew up in St. Lucia before coming to the United States to attend Harding University in Arkansas, from which he graduated in 2016. He was working as an accountant for one of the world’s most prestigious accounting firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers, in Dallas when he was killed.

He would have turned 35 on Tuesday.