Source: Max Zolotukhin / Getty
Botham Jean was in his home, minding his business, and eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream when then-Dallas police officer Amber Guyger burst into his apartment with her gun drawn and shot him dead. Let her tell it, she didn’t realize that she was actually one floor above her apartment and believed that Jean was an intruder. Guyger made an irreversible decision and was subsequently found guilty of murder and was sentenced to ten years in prison.
According to NBC News, the consequences and repercussions of Guyger’s actions are not done manifesting themselves. A jury of her peers has ordered the convicted felon to pay $98 million in restitution and damages to Botham Jean’s family. A court form obtained by NBC News states the jury found that Guyger acted with “malice, willfulness, or callous and reckless indifference” for Jean’s civil rights and general safety. For that, the awarded $60 million to the family. Additionally, the jury added another $38 million in compensatory damages for mental anguish, loss of earnings, and more. The Jean family was only seeking $54 million in damages, and the jury made a powerful statement by nearly doubling their ask.
Source: Stewart F. House / Getty
Allison Jean, Botham’s mother, spoke publicly about her feelings following the decision.
Via KERA News:
“They had to put it in monetary terms,” Allison Jean told reporters. “I cannot feel it in monetary terms because I know how precious he was to me. But it sends a signal to the world that his life mattered.”
Botham’s father, Bertrum Jean, also addressed the public.
“We will miss our Bo dearly,” he said. “I can’t stand the thought of him not being around. But his memories, the wonderful things he did in this life, this gives me joy. And (to) know that he was loved by so many, this gives me joy.”
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Jean family.