Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of fatally shooting his neighbor in his apartment in September 2018, was released from prison after serving seven years.
Guyger, now 38, walked out of prison in Gatesville Friday morning, a little more than two weeks after being granted parole.
Guyger fatally shot Botham Jean in her own apartment in 2018. The former police officer claimed she mistakenly parked on the fourth floor of the parking lot attached to the building where she and Jean lived, entered Jean’s apartment instead of her own and shot him, believing he was an intruder.
She was convicted of murder on October 1, 2019 and a the jury convicted her to 10 years in prison. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles Guyger granted parole exactly 7 years later.
Earlier this month, Guyger’s attorney, Robert Rodgers, told CBS News Texas that Guyger still regrets the shooting.
“She still has a lot of remorse, but she’s spent that time working on programs, rehabilitating and making sure she can be … a productive member of society,” Rodgers said.
He also said Guyger found housing and a job.
What happens now that she’s released
Officials told CBS News Texas that Guyger will be under strict parole supervision until her sentence expires in 2029 because she is getting out of prison early. This supervision will include regular check-ins, travel restrictions, home visits, and employment requirements.
Guyger is also not allowed to live in Dallas County, contact Jean’s family or Dallas police officers, or leave the state of Texas without permission, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The Botham Jean family and DPD respond
After Guyger’s parole was announced, Jean’s family said in a statement to CBS News Texas:
“Two days ago, Botham Jean’s family 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 released on parole and will serve the remainder of her sentence under supervision.
Botham Jean’s family respectfully requests privacy at this time as they process this development and continue to grieve.
To the many well-wishers who continue to speak Botham’s name, honor his life and perpetuate his memory, the family expresses its sincere gratitude for your continued love and support. »
Separately, Lee Merritt, a lawyer who previously represented Botham Jean’s family, said he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.
“Botham’s family and the community strongly opposed this parole. They stood up time and again to demand that the entire sentence be served. A 10-year sentence was already a fraction of what was lost. Ms. Guyger’s release after seven years makes that loss even smaller in the eyes of the system. That is not the case,” Merritt said in a statement.
In response to a request for comment, the Dallas Police Department said it “understands that this decision may spark renewed attention and emotion surrounding the tragic death of Botham Jean.” Our thoughts remain with the Jean family and all those affected by his loss.
The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment to CBS News Texas.
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