Amber Guyger released after 7 years in prison for neighbor's murder

Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer convicted of murder in the September 2018 fatal shooting of her neighbor Botham Jean inside his apartment, was released on parole from a state prison facility in Gatesville, Texas, after serving seven years.

Guyger, 38, walked out of the prison on Friday morning, roughly two weeks after state officials approved her application for early release. Under the conditions of her release, she will remain under intensive state parole supervision until her full 10-year prison sentence officially expires in 2029.

Incident Overview

The fatal shooting occurred in September 2018 inside an apartment complex in Dallas, Texas, where both Guyger and Jean maintained separate residences. According to trial evidence and official accounts, Guyger returned to the building after completing a shift with the Dallas Police Department. She parked her personal vehicle on the fourth floor of the complex's attached parking garage, believing she had parked on the third floor where her apartment was located.

Guyger proceeded to the fourth floor corridor and walked to the door of Jean's apartment, which occupied the space directly above her own unit. She entered Jean's apartment and encountered him inside. Believing she was inside her own residence and that Jean was an intruder, Guyger drew her department-issued handgun and fired, striking Jean. Jean died as a result of the gunshot wounds. A Dallas County jury subsequently rejected claims of self-defense and mistake of fact, returning a verdict of murder in October 2019.

Timeline of Events

1. September 2018: Botham Jean is fatally shot inside his apartment by off-duty Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who reported mistaking his unit for her own.
2. October 1, 2019: A Dallas County jury finds Guyger guilty of murder and sentences her to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
3. September 2024: Guyger becomes eligible for parole consideration upon completing seven years of her sentence, including credited time served.
4. Late September 2024: The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles grants Guyger's application for parole release.
5. Friday Morning Release: Guyger is formally released from state custody in Gatesville, Texas, to begin serving supervised parole through 2029.

Suspect Information

Amber Guyger, 38, is a former police officer previously employed by the Dallas Police Department. Following her murder conviction in 2019, she was transferred into the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and served her term at a state prison facility in Gatesville, Texas. Her defense counsel reported that during her seven years of incarceration, Guyger completed educational, vocational, and rehabilitative programs administered by the state prison system.

Victim Information

Botham Jean was a Dallas resident and accounting professional who lived in the apartment unit directly above Guyger. Following the notification of Guyger's release on parole, Jean's family issued a formal statement reflecting on his life, noting that the release coincided with the period surrounding his birthday. The family extended gratitude to supporters while requesting privacy to process the news.

Charges Filed

Guyger was tried and convicted under Texas law for murder, a felony offense carrying substantial statutory penalties under the Texas Penal Code.

• Murder (Texas Penal Code Section 19.02): Under Texas law, a person commits murder if they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of an individual, or intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death. In Texas, murder is classified as a first-degree felony, punishable by five to 99 years or life imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, along with a potential fine of up to $10,000. Following trial proceedings in October 2019, the jury selected a 10-year prison sentence.
• Parole Eligibility Mechanics: Under Texas criminal procedure, individuals convicted of first-degree felony offenses such as murder are subject to strict statutory parole rules. Depending on the offense classification and specific statutory provisions, inmates must complete a designated portion of their sentence before becoming eligible for discretionary review by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. In Guyger's case, parole eligibility was reached after serving seven years of the imposed 10-year term.

Court Information

The criminal proceedings were conducted in the District Courts of Dallas County, Texas, culminating in a jury trial in October 2019. Following the presentation of evidence and deliberations, the jury returned a guilty verdict on the charge of murder on Oct. 1, 2019, and subsequently assessed punishment at 10 years of imprisonment. Official court records reflect that the 10-year term ran concurrently with credit for time served prior to and following the trial, establishing a final sentence expiration date in 2029.

Statements from Authorities

Following the decision by state authorities to grant parole and complete Guyger's release, multiple parties, legal representatives, and public agencies issued formal statements regarding the case and its resolution.

Robert Rodgers, an attorney representing Guyger, addressed her release and institutional conduct in comments to CBS News Texas: "She's still very remorseful, but she's spent that time working on programs and rehabilitating and making sure that she can be ... a productive member of society." Rodgers added that Guyger has established housing and employment arrangements outside of Dallas County.

The family of Botham Jean issued a statement reacting to the parole decision: "Two days ago, the family of Botham Jean lovingly remembered their son and brother and celebrated his life on what would have been his birthday. Today, it was reported that Amber Guyger will be paroled and will serve the remainder of her sentence under supervision. The family of Botham Jean respectfully requests privacy at this time as they process this development and continue to navigate their grief. 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."

Attorney Lee Merritt, who previously represented Botham Jean's family, expressed opposition to the parole decision: "Botham's family and the community strongly opposed this parole. They stood up again and again to ask that the full sentence be served. 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."

The Dallas Police Department issued an official statement acknowledging the board's decision: "The Dallas Police Department understands this decision may bring renewed attention and emotion surrounding the tragic death of Botham Jean. Our thoughts remain with the Jean family and all those impacted by his loss. Parole decisions are made by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and are outside the authority of the Dallas Police Department and we had no role in this decision."

The Dallas County District Attorney's office declined to comment on the release.

Public Safety Information

Members of the public seeking information regarding post-conviction supervision, victim assistance programs, or inmate release registries in Texas may contact the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division. Victims of violent crime and their surviving family members can access support, counseling, and rights advocacy through national and state resources. The National Center for Victims of Crime provides assistance and referral resources, and individuals in need of immediate crisis intervention or emotional support can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

What Happens Next

With her release from physical custody complete, Guyger enters the post-conviction supervision phase under the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division. According to state officials and prison authorities, Guyger must abide by a comprehensive list of parole conditions until her sentence expires in 2029. These requirements include regular mandatory check-ins with a parole officer, unannounced home visits, verified employment compliance, and strict travel restrictions prohibiting her from leaving the state of Texas without prior administrative approval.

Additionally, state authorities confirmed that Guyger is strictly prohibited from residing in Dallas County, contacting the family of Botham Jean, or making contact with active Dallas police officers. If any condition of parole is violated during the remaining term ending in 2029, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles maintains authority to issue an administrative warrant, initiate revocation proceedings, and order her return to state prison to serve the remainder of the 10-year sentence.