Amber Guyger Granted Parole Seven Years After Killing Botham Jean

Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of killing Botham Jean in 2018, has been granted parole by the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole, officials confirmed on October 1, 2026. Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder, having served approximately seven years of her term.

On October 1, 2019, a jury found Guyger guilty of shooting and killing Jean inside his own apartment. During the trial, Guyger testified that she had mistakenly entered Jean’s unit instead of her own after parking on the fourth floor of the complex’s garage, believing Jean to be an intruder. She faced a sentencing range of five years to life but ultimately received a 10-year term.

In its decision, the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole cited several factors supporting the parole grant. The board noted that Guyger’s record did not include a documented pattern of violent arrests or convictions, that she maintained satisfactory adjustment while incarcerated, and that she completed programs outlined in her individual treatment plan designed to help her secure stable employment.

The board did not provide a specific release date. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice stated that the agency does not yet have an official date for Guyger’s release.

The ruling came just two days after Jean’s family celebrated what would have been his birthday. In a statement to CBS News Texas, the family expressed their desire for privacy as they process the news. “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,” the statement read.

Lee Merritt, an attorney representing the Jean family, expressed strong opposition to the decision. He stated that both the family and the community had repeatedly advocated for Guyger to serve her full sentence. “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 acknowledged the decision in a brief statement, noting that parole determinations fall outside its authority. “Our thoughts remain with the Jean family and all those impacted by his loss,” the department said. The Dallas County District Attorney’s office declined to comment.

In March 2026, Jean’s family filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Dallas seeking nearly $100 million in damages. The suit alleges that the city attempted to cover up staffing shortages by assigning excessive overtime to officers, leading to fatigue. The complaint highlights that Guyger had worked a nearly 14-hour shift on the night of the shooting and accuses city government of refusing to take responsibility for Jean’s death.