Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was ordered by a federal jury to pay nearly $100 million to the family of Botham Jean, a Black man she fatally shot in his apartment in 2018. Guyger, who is serving a 10-year sentence for the murder, claimed she mistakenly entered Jean’s apartment, thinking it was hers, and believed he was an intruder. The jury found that Guyger had used excessive force and acted under the color of law, awarding $98.6 million in damages to Jean’s estate and his parents, including $60 million in punitive damages.
The family’s attorney, Daryl Washington, stated that the verdict sends a message against police brutality and could potentially save lives by making officers think twice before using deadly force. This decision comes as the U.S. approaches a potential record year for police killings, with Black Americans disproportionately affected.
On the night of the shooting, Guyger, off-duty in her police uniform, entered Jean’s apartment and shot him, claiming self-defense. Jean, who was unarmed and complying with verbal commands, was fatally shot without lawful justification. The lawsuit filed by Jean’s family also implicated the Dallas Police Department and city council for failing to enforce policies that respected Jean’s rights.
Washington emphasized the need for reform and accountability within the city and police department. The city of Dallas and the Dallas Police Department were not immediately available for comment on the recent verdict.
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