DALLAS — Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer who was convicted of murdering Botham Jean in his apartment six years ago, was denied parole Thursday, according to Jean's family.
“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," Allisa Charles-Findley, sister of Botham Jean told WFAA.
Charles-Findley shared with WFAA the email the family received from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Thursday.
The email said in part, "This is to notify you that the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles denied parole for this offender on 10-10-24 until the next review date scheduled for 10-10-26. Should the board receive additional information that may return the case to the review process earlier you will be notified."
Guyger was up for parole last month on what would have been Botham's 33rd birthday. Now, Guyger won't be eligible for consideration for parole until October 2026.
“So we have another two years of peace before we have to go through that again," Finley said. “I will sleep so much better.”
Jean died on Sept. 6, 2018, in his own apartment after being shot by Guyger, who had just gotten off work. A jury convicted Guyger of murder and sentenced her to 10 years with the possibility of parole after serving five of those years. The penalty range was 5 to 99 years.
"I have always felt that the 10-year sentence was inadequate," Allison Jean, Botham's mother, told WFAA during an interview last month. "If they have given her ten years -- then she deserves to stay in prison for the 10-year period."
The legal team representing the family of Botham Jean, including Ben Crump Law, the Washington Law Firm and Romanucci & Blandin released the following statement:
"The family of Botham Jean is relieved by today's decision to deny parole to former Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger. This is one very important component of justice for them for the senseless death of their brother and son while he was unarmed and minding his own business in his own home."
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice website says Guyger is still undergoing review for parole.
WFAA reached out to Guyger's attorneys Thursday evening for a statement.
"We haven't been notified and decline comment," a spokesperson said.