Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was ordered 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 murder, claimed she thought Jean was an intruder in her own apartment. The federal jury found Guyger had used excessive force in the shooting and acted under the color of law, awarding $98.6 million to Jean’s estate and parents, including $60 million in punitive damages.
The family’s attorney, Daryl Washington, stated that the verdict sends a message that police brutality will not be accepted, potentially saving lives by making officers think twice before using deadly force. The ruling comes amidst a record year for police killings in the U.S., with Black Americans disproportionately affected.
Jean was eating ice cream in his apartment when Guyger entered, claiming she mistook it for her own and shot him without justification. The lawsuit alleged that the Dallas Police Department and City Council failed to implement policies that respected Jean’s rights, leading to the tragic incident. The family has called for accountability and reform within the police department.
The verdict serves as a reminder of the need for police reform to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The case highlights the racial disparities in police violence and underscores the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions.
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