The civil trial for Amber Guyger, the former Dallas police officer convicted of killing Botham Jean in 2018, began Monday, nearly six years after the tragic shooting. Guyger, who is still serving a 10-year murder sentence for the fatal shooting of Jean inside his apartment, will not appear in court. Additionally, she has waived her right to legal representation, a decision she made herself.
Jean’s family is pursuing “unliquidated damages” for his wrongful death, aiming to secure compensation from any potential book or movie deals that Guyger might later profit from. Attorneys representing the Jean family want the jury to understand not just the loss of Jean’s life, but the promise he held and the profound pain his death has caused his loved ones. During opening statements, Jean’s family displayed pictures and video of him, offering jurors a glimpse of the man who was making a difference in his community.
Botham Jean’s sister, Alissa Charles-Findley, testified emotionally about the devastating moment she learned of her brother’s death. She recalled that Dallas police only informed her that her brother had been shot, calling it a “sensitive situation.” It was not until later that hospital personnel confirmed he was dead. Charles-Findley also shared that a Texas Ranger who spoke to the family initially withheld the officer’s name but suggested it was a “horrible accident” and that no one was to blame.
She vividly remembered speaking with her brother hours before his death, advising him to stay home rather than go out to watch an NFL game with friends. “Why not stay home because it’s safer at home,” she had told him, a heartbreaking statement given the outcome.
The trial has seen emotional testimony, including a deposition from a law enforcement expert who stated that Guyger failed to follow her training or national guidelines for the use of deadly force, despite acting in her capacity as a police officer.
Tiffinni Young, a trial observer and lawyer, noted that the family’s attorneys have successfully painted a picture of Jean’s potential, emphasizing the loss of a bright young man whose future had been full of promise. Young observed that even jurors seemed visibly moved during the proceedings.
Jurors also saw distressing body camera footage showing police officers desperately trying to save Jean’s life after he was shot through the heart. The video, which had been difficult for the attorneys to watch, brought additional emotional weight to the trial. Daryl Washington, the Jean family’s attorney, acknowledged how difficult these visuals were for everyone involved, especially for the jury who saw them for the first time during the trial.
Speaking to FOX 4, Botham Jean’s mother, Allison Jean, expressed that the trial felt like “opening old wounds.” Yet, she said she was ready for it to be over, emphasizing the need for closure. “Ever since this continues, it’s still unfinished business. It’s uncovering old wounds, but I’m looking forward to the conclusion,” she said.
For Jean’s family and their legal team, the civil trial is about more than seeking financial damages. “If a jury comes back favorable, I think it sends a message,” said Daryl Washington. “It sends a message to other officers that you need to think a second before you pull the trigger, and that’s what these cases are all about.”
The trial is expected to last three days, but for Botham Jean’s family, the emotional journey for justice is far from over.