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 own apartment in 2018. Guyger claimed she thought she was entering her apartment and believed Jean was an intruder. She is currently serving a 10-year sentence for murder and was fired from the Dallas Police Department after the shooting.
The jury found 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 encouraging officers to think before using deadly force.
The verdict comes as the U.S. faces a potential record year for police killings, with racial disparities in police violence highlighted. Botham Jean was shot while sitting in his apartment eating ice cream, mistaken for an intruder by Guyger. Claims of self-defense were made, but the lawsuit alleged Jean was unarmed and posed no threat.
The family also included the city of Dallas in their lawsuit, alleging the police department failed to implement policies that respected Jean’s rights. Washington emphasized the need for reform and accountability within the city and police department in light of the verdict.
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