Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was released from prison on a Friday morning after serving seven years of a 10-year sentence for the 2018 murder of Botham Jean. Guyger, 38, was released from a correctional facility in Gatesville, Texas, and will remain under supervision until her full sentence expires in 2029.
The case originated in September 2018, when Guyger shot and killed Jean in his own apartment. Guyger testified during her trial that she mistakenly entered Jean's apartment, believing it was her own, after parking on the wrong floor of their shared apartment building. She stated she shot Jean because she believed he was an intruder. On October 1, 2019, a jury found Guyger guilty of murder and sentenced her to a decade in prison. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles granted her parole in 2024.
Earlier this month, Guyger's attorney, Robert Rodgers, stated she participated in rehabilitation programs and expressed remorse for the shooting. Following her release, Guyger is required to adhere to strict parole conditions, which include regular check-ins, home visits, and employment requirements. She is prohibited from living in Dallas County, contacting the Jean family, or communicating with Dallas police officers.
For Guyger, the transition involves moving to a pre-arranged residence and starting a new job under the oversight of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The day-to-day changes for her include travel restrictions that prevent her from leaving the state of Texas without specific approval and a ban on entering Dallas County. She will be subject to mandatory reporting and monitoring by parole officers until her legal sentence concludes in 2029.
The decision by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles highlights the state's discretionary power in early release cases. The Dallas Police Department noted it had no role in the decision, which is outside its authority. Guyger will remain under state supervision until her sentence officially expires in 2029.