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Murder of Botham Jean

On September 6th, 2018, just before 10 p.m., 26-year-old Botham Jean was in his South Side Flats apartment eating vanilla ice cream in the living room. He was winding down after a long day working as an accountant for an internationally known auditing company.

Suddenly, Dallas police officer Amber Guyger walked into his unlocked door.

The 30-year-old lived in the same apartment complex as Jean and had just finished working a 14-hour shift. She was distracted as she was planning a rendezvous with a married man she was sleeping with.

She went to the fourth floor instead of the third floor and entered the wrong unit.

She immediately fired two shots at Jean, thinking she was in her home and he was a burglar. He was hit once in the chest.

The five-year police veteran called 911, and medical personnel responded to the scene and took Jean to the hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting. Guyger was arrested and charged with manslaughter three days after the crime.

The charges were later upgraded to murder, and Guyger was fired from the Dallas police department on September 24th, 2018.

Trial

When she went to trial in September 2019, the prosecution said the incident was murder because there were signs she was entering the wrong apartment, like the red rug in front of Jean’s home. Prosecutors also claimed she did not follow police protocol. When encountering a burglar, officers are supposed to call for backup.

Since the station was just two blocks away, assistance would have arrived quickly, resolving the issue and preventing anyone from dying.

Guyger testified on her behalf, claiming it was self-defense and she feared for her life.

The jury deliberated on the case for 6 hours and had the option of convicting her of manslaughter, but they all agreed on a murder conviction. She was facing up to 99 years in prison.

The District Attorney said the sentence should be no less than 28 years, but the jury disagreed. They sentenced her to 10 years in prison.

Many of her family members were disappointed with the sentence, but Jean’s 18-year-old brother Brandt told Guyger he forgave her. He then asked the judge if he could hug Guyger, a request the judge granted.

Aftermath

In January 2021, four miles of street near Jean’s former apartment were named Botham Jean Boulevard.

Guyger was eligible for parole in October 2024. According to Fox4News, more than 6,000 people, including Jean’s family and the Dallas County District Attorney, signed an online petition opposing her release.

Her parole was denied. According to the Texas Department of Corrections, the parole board cited the nature of the offense, highlighting the “victim’s vulnerability” and Guyger’s “disregard for the lives, safety, or property, or others.” She was labeled “a continuing threat to public safety.”

She went through the parole process again in September 2026. Her file, related documents, and letters for and against her release were reviewed. She was also interviewed. According to WFAA, a 3-panel board reviewed everything and voted on whether to release her or keep her locked up. The panel isn’t just a bunch of random individuals, they are people with experience in the justice system.

They consider 11 factors when making a decision, such as a history of violence, participation in prison programs, and potential to reoffend.

NBCNews reported on October 1st, 2026, just two days after Jean would have turned 35, that she was granted parole because she did not have a documented pattern of violent arrests, and she “maintained a satisfactory institutional adjustment.” She also took some programs that they feel will help her maintain full-time employment when she is free.

According to WFAA, she was released immediately, as it can take up to 30 days or longer due to the booking out process.

Release

Guyger walked free from the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville, Texas, on October 16th, 2026, just before 10 a.m, Fox4News reported.

When she was initially granted parole, her attorney said she already had a place to live and a job lined up. She will have to report to a parole officer, could be subject to home visits and urine tests, and she cannot leave the state without approval. She may also be required to wear an ankle monitor, WFAA reported.

If she had been forced to serve her full sentence, she would have been released on September 29th, 2029, so she is essentially getting out three years early.

Timeline

September 6th, 2018– After working a 15-hour shift, Amber Guyger walks into the wrong apartment and fatally shoots 26-year-old Botham Jean.

September 9th, 2018– Guyger is arrested and charged with manslaughter.

September 24th, 2018– The charges were upgraded to murder, and she was fired from the Dallas Police Department.

September 2019- She is convicted at trial and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

January 2021– A street near Botham Jean’s apartment is named after him.

October 2024 – At her first parole attempt, she was denied.

October 1st, 2026– She was granted parole despite the objections of the Jean family.

October 16th, 2026– She was released from prison.