Overview

• 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.