Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger has been granted parole seven years after she was convicted of murdering her neighbor, Botham Jean, according to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
The decision comes seven years to the day after Guyger was found guilty of Jean’s murder on October 1, 2019. The board said the decision followed “a thorough review and consideration of a plethora of information.”
Guyger Sentenced to 10 Years
Guyger was a Dallas police officer when she shot and killed Jean inside his apartment in 2018.
Guyger testified that she mistakenly went to the wrong floor of the apartment building after returning from work, believed she was entering her own apartment, and mistook Jean for an intruder. She then fired her weapon, killing Jean.
Guyger was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison. She faced a possible sentence ranging from five years to life.
Board Cites Institutional Record
The parole board listed several factors in its decision to approve Guyger’s release.
According to the board, Guyger’s record does not show a documented pattern of violent or assaultive arrests or convictions. The board also said she maintained a satisfactory adjustment while incarcerated.
Officials further cited Guyger’s participation in and completion of programs and activities included in her individual treatment plan. The board said those programs should improve her chances of obtaining and maintaining full-time, stable employment.
The board has not announced when Guyger will be released from prison.
Guyger was previously denied parole in 2024 because of the nature of the offense, which showed a “conscious disregard for the lives, safety, or property of others, such that the offender poses a continuing threat to public safety,” according to the parole board.
Jean Family Sues Dallas
The parole decision comes as Jean’s family pursues a separate legal action against the City of Dallas.
In March 2026, Jean’s family filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $100 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges the city contributed to conditions that preceded Jean’s death by relying on overtime to address staffing shortages, resulting in fatigue and stress among officers.
The lawsuit notes that Guyger had worked nearly a 14-hour shift before she returned to the apartment building the night she shot Jean.
Jean’s family alleges the city “refused to take responsibility” for his death. The civil case is separate from Guyger’s criminal conviction and parole proceedings.
Provided by Dallas Express
