Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer, was released from prison on Friday morning, 16 October 2026, after serving seven years of her 10-year sentence for murder. Her release was approved by the Texas board of pardons and paroles, despite opposition from the family of Botham Jean.
Guyger, 38, was convicted of murdering Botham Jean in 2019 after entering his apartment and shooting him in 2018. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison following her conviction on 1 October 2019.
During her trial, Guyger testified that she believed she was entering her own apartment when she walked into Jean's residence, which was one floor above hers. She claimed she mistook Jean for a burglar and fired her weapon, fearing for her life. Jean, 26, was eating ice cream and watching television when he was fatally shot.
Guyger was dismissed from the Dallas police department after the shooting. Her initial parole request in 2024 was denied, but the board later granted her parole, allowing her to complete the remainder of her sentence under supervision.