Nearly seven years after a jury found former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger guilty of murdering 26-year-old Saint Lucian native Botham Jean in his own apartment, state correctional officials have greenlit her early release on parole. The 38-year-old Guyger was handed a 10-year prison sentence following her October 2019 murder conviction, and this parole approval marks a turning point in a case that sparked national and international outrage. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles publicly confirmed the controversial decision in a statement released Thursday.
It is important to clarify that parole does not expunge Guyger’s murder conviction, nor does it end her sentence entirely. Instead, the ruling allows her to leave prison before serving the full 10-year term, and she will complete the remainder of her sentence in the community under strict supervision and conditions set by state parole authorities. As of the board’s announcement, no official release date has been shared with the public.
The timing of the parole decision has added renewed pain to Jean’s family, coming just days after the group gathered to honor what would have been Jean’s birthday. In an exclusive comment obtained by St Lucia Times, the family shared that they are still working through the shock of the development, and requested space to grieve privately. “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,” the statement read.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles outlined three core justifications for approving Guyger’s parole release. Officials noted that throughout her criminal history, Guyger had no pattern of violent or assaultive arrests or prior convictions, she had maintained consistent satisfactory conduct during her time incarcerated, and she had completed all required rehabilitation programs designed to support her reintegration into society and help her secure stable long-term employment after release.
The killing that led to Guyger’s conviction dates back to September 6, 2018. On that day, Guyger entered Jean’s apartment in the shared building where both lived and opened fire, killing the 26-year-old immediately. Guyger’s defense argued that she had accidentally walked to the wrong floor after a long shift, mistook Jean’s apartment for her own, and believed Jean was an intruder who posed a threat to her safety. However, the trial jury rejected this argument and ultimately found her guilty of murder.
Jean’s death drew widespread public attention across both his home country of Saint Lucia and the United States. In the years since his killing, his family has worked to preserve his legacy through the Botham Jean Foundation, a nonprofit organization that carries out his charitable goals and supports communities affected by systemic injustice and violence.