Botham Jean's Family Awarded $98.6 Million in Civil Trial Against Amber Guyger

The jury found the former Dallas police officer used excessive force in the 2018 fatal shooting of Botham Jean in his own apartment.

Amber Guyger, a former Dallas police officer, was ordered to pay $98.6 million in damages to Botham Jean's family after a federal jury found her guilty of using excessive force in his death.
The award includes $60 million in punitive damages and $38.6 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish, loss of earnings, and other claims.
Jean, a 26-year-old Black accountant, was fatally shot in his apartment in 2018 when Guyger, off-duty and in uniform, mistakenly entered his home and claimed she thought he was an intruder.
Jean’s family emphasized the verdict’s symbolic importance, stating it sends a strong message about police accountability and the value of Botham Jean’s life.
The civil trial highlighted broader issues of racial bias and police reform, with the family’s attorney calling for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies.