Gov. Greg Abbott.Photo: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images
TexasGov. Greg Abbotthas requested a pardon for U.S. Army Sgt.Daniel Perry, who was convicted Friday of murderingBlack Lives Matterprotester Garrett Foster in 2020.
Perry, 35, was found guilty of murder but acquitted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following the July 25, 2020 shooting at a protest forGeorge Floydin downtown Austin, according to a news release from the Travis County District Attorney’s Office (TCDA).
The Governor said: “I have made that request and instructed the Board to expedite its review. I look forward to approving the Board’s pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk.”
Gov. Abbott also said he had “already prioritized reining in rogue District Attorneys, and the Texas Legislature is working laws to achieve that goal.”
Perry was convicted after the prosecution argued he had provoked a group of marching protesters when he ran a red light, driving toward them during a demonstration, according toCBS Austin.
“Garrett Foster had every right to go up to him and see what the heck was going on,” the prosecutor stated. “And he had every right to do it with a deadly weapon, his rifle, because [Perry] was in a deadly weapon, his car.”
Perry’s attorney argued self-defense, claiming that Foster, 28, raised his AK-47 rifle first, theAustin American-Statesmanreported. Witnesses testified that Foster never raised his weapon before Perry fired five shots, hitting Foster multiple times.
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Daniel Perry.Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock
The prosecutor presented evidence refuting Perry’s claim that the crowd swarmed his car, as well as his social media posts expressing disdain for protesters and discussion of how someone could get away with shooting them in Texas.
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said Gov. Abbott’s push for a pardon was “deeply troubling,” in a statement shared withKXAN.“In our legal system, a jury that gets to decide whether a defendant is guilty or innocent – not the Governor,” Garza said.
Garrett’s father Stephen Foster said outside the courthouse that his family is “happy with the verdict and also very sorry for (Perry’s) family as well,” according to theStatesman.
A deadly conduct charge against Perry remains pending, according to TCDA.
source: people.com
