$98,650,000 Verdict - Civil Rights & Wrongful Death

A US District Court for the Northern District of Texas jury returned a historic verdict for the family of Botham Jean against former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger. The jury found that Guyger used excessive force and was acting in her capacity as an officer while applying deadly force that violated Jean’s civil rights when she entered Jean’s apartment, located a floor above hers, and shot and killed him. The jury awarded more than $98.65 million in damages to Jean’s estate for his pain, loss of life and loss of earnings; for his mother’s loss of relationship; his father’s loss of relationship; and for punitive damages. This is one of the largest civil rights verdicts ever awarded in the United States.