Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was ordered by a jury to pay $98 million in a civil case after using excessive force in the fatal shooting of Botham Jean in his home six years ago. Guyger, who is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for the murder of Jean in 2018, did not attend the trial for the civil case, nor did she have legal representation due to financial constraints.
The jury found that Guyger acted with malice and indifference to Jean’s safety, awarding his family $60 million in punitive damages and $38 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish and loss of earnings. Jean’s family had originally sought $54 million in damages.
The incident occurred when Guyger, off-duty but in uniform, mistakenly entered Jean’s apartment, thinking it was her own. Jean, who was in his living room eating ice cream, was commanded by Guyger to raise his hands. He began moving towards her and yelling, leading Guyger to fatally shoot him. Guyger testified that she never intended to harm an innocent person and expressed regret for the incident, emphasizing that it was a result of fear rather than hate.
The outcome of the civil case highlights the ongoing discussion about police use of force and racial bias, as Guyger is white and Jean, a Black man from St. Lucia. The large settlement amount awarded to Jean’s family reflects the jury’s determination of Guyger’s actions as clearly excessive and unreasonable.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
