Austin, Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a full pardon for former U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry on Thursday, overturning his murder conviction for fatally shooting an armed demonstrator in 2020 during protests against police violence and racial injustice.
The decision came shortly after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles recommended Perry’s pardon and the restoration of his firearms rights. Perry had been serving a 25-year sentence in state prison since his conviction in the killing of Garrett Foster, an Air Force veteran, during a protest in Austin.
Perry, a white ride-share driver at the time, was involved in a confrontation with Foster, which ended in Perry shooting and killing him. While a jury convicted Perry of murder, Governor Abbott described the case as an act of self-defense, citing Texas’ ‘Stand Your Ground’ law.
This move by Governor Abbott to pardon Perry, who had garnered support from prominent conservatives, has stirred controversy. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza criticized the pardon, calling it a “mockery of our legal system” and alleging political motivations behind the decision.
Perry’s defense attorneys argued that he acted in self-defense when faced with an angry crowd and an individual carrying an assault rifle. Perry did not take the witness stand during his trial, and jurors deliberated for two days before reaching a guilty verdict.
The pardon has sparked strong reactions from both Perry’s supporters and critics. While Perry’s attorney expressed gratitude for the pardon and emphasized the tragic nature of the events leading to Foster’s death, Foster’s girlfriend denounced the decision as an act of “lawlessness” that undermined the jury’s verdict.
The case of Daniel Perry exemplifies the ongoing debate over self-defense, racial tensions, and political interference in the justice system, particularly in the context of nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice. The governor’s intervention in the case has reignited discussions about the complexities of law, justice, and accountability.