Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of murdering Botham Jean, has been granted parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Guyger was found guilty on 1 October 2019 of shooting Jean in his own apartment in 2018. She said she had mistakenly entered his home, believing it was her own, and thought he was an intruder.
She was sentenced to 10 years in prison after facing a possible term ranging from five years to life. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has not yet confirmed when she will be released.
The parole board said its decision took into account the absence of a documented pattern of violent or assault-related arrests or convictions, her satisfactory conduct in prison, and her completion of programmes intended to improve her prospects of securing and keeping stable full-time employment.
Botham Jean family responds to parole decision
Jean’s family said they had recently marked his birthday and were now asking for privacy as they processed the decision and continued to grieve.
“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,” they said in a statement.
Lee Merritt, a lawyer for the family, said they were “deeply disappointed” and that both the family and the wider community had opposed parole.
“A 10-year sentence was already a fraction of what was lost. Releasing Ms. Guyger after seven years makes that loss feel even smaller in the eyes of the system. It is not,” Merritt said.
The Dallas Police Department said it understood the decision could bring renewed attention and emotion around Jean’s death. It said parole decisions were made by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, outside the department’s authority, and that it had played no role in the decision.
In March 2026, Jean’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeking nearly $100 million in damages. The claim alleges the city used officers for overtime to cover staffing shortages, contributing to fatigue and stress, and says Guyger had completed almost a 14-hour shift before Jean was killed.
