Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger who shot and killed Saint Lucian Botham Jean in 2018 has been denied parole and will not be eligible again until 2026, it has been reported.
Guyger, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison after a highly publicised trial was eligible for parole late last month after serving only half of her sentence.
The former police officer killed Botham in his apartment in Dallas after thinking it was her own; she thought he was an intruder, she said.
A petition was created on change.org on September 8 by Jean’s loved ones to deny Guyger the opportunity of an early release.
“We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the parole request of Amber Guyger, convicted of the murder of Botham Jean, be denied. Botham Jean, a 26-year-old accountant, was tragically shot and killed by Amber Guyger. This incident has deeply affected our community and highlighted significant issues within our justice system”, a note at the bottom of the petition read, adding that the sentence was intended to serve “as a measure of justice for Botham Jean and his family, and as a statement that such actions will not be tolerated.”
Further, the note stated, “Granting parole at this time would undermine the severity of the crime and the justice that was sought through the legal process. Botham Jean was an innocent man, enjoying the safety of his own home when his life was unjustly taken. His family and our community continue to grieve his loss. Allowing Amber Guyger to be released early would not only be a disservice to Botham Jean’s memory but also to the principles of justice and accountability. We believe that Amber Guyger should serve her full sentence as a reflection of the gravity of her actions and to uphold the integrity of our justice system. We urge the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to deny her parole request and ensure that justice is fully served for Botham Jean and his family.”
Senator Dr. Allison Jean says Guyger should remain imprisoned for her son’s murder.
“Amber Guyger became eligible for parole on September 29th, which was Botham’s 33rd birthday,” Jean said in an interview, however, she said the sentence that was given to Guyger “is far from adequate for the crime which she committed.”
The petition originally sought 1,000 signatures, according to reports, however, it far exceeded the amount.
According to the petition on change.org, it marked a victory for the family and loved ones as the petition “made change with 6,368 supporters”.
Senator Jean told a local publication that she is “elated” and that “we put up a good fight.”
The Dallas Observer, yesterday, reported that The Dallas Morning News said on Thursday evening Allisa Charles-Findley, Jean’s sister, received an email on Thursday informing them of the decision to deny parole for Guyger.
“Charles-Findley told WFAA (a Dallas television station), ‘I wasn’t expecting a response so quickly. We were interviewed on Monday by the parole commissioner, the lead commissioner. It feels like a load lifted’,” the Dallas Observer reported.
The Observer also stated that “Jean’s mother, told The News in a statement that her family ‘feels a sense of relief,’ adding it shows ‘part of the accountability that she must have for her actions,’” the report read. “She has said she doesn’t sense remorse from Guyger after previous failed appeals. Texas’ highest criminal court upheld her conviction and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case in 2022.”
“Jean’s murder inspired “Bo’s Law,” which was signed into law in 2021 and requires police officers to keep their body-worn cameras on throughout the entirety of an investigation. Also, in 2021, the section of South Lamar Street where Jean lived in the South Side Flats was renamed Botham Jean Boulevard. Guyger will be eligible for parole again in October 2026,” the Observer added.