OAN’s Brooke Mallory
4:26 PM – Thursday, May 16, 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott granted a full pardon to former U.S. Army Sgt. Thursday is Daniel Perry.
advertisement
Perry was convicted of murder in 2020 after fatally shooting an armed demonstrator during the country’s violent nationwide protests against racial inequality and police brutality.
Mr. Abbott (R-Texas) made the pardon announcement shortly after it was revealed that the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole had unanimously recommended that Mr. Perry be pardoned and his weapons privileges restored.
“Texas has one of the most powerful self-defense laws, Stand Your Ground, which cannot be overridden by a jury or a progressive district attorney. I approve the recommendation,” Abbott said.
Perry has been in prison serving a 25-year sentence since his conviction in 2023.
In July 2020, Perry, who was employed by Uber, a popular ride-hailing company at the time, drove to a large protest downtown. After being confronted by a man named Garrett Foster, 28, who first motioned for Perry to roll down his window and then pointed an AK-47 directly at Perry, more protesters kicked Perry’s car. He started hitting her. Perry then shot and killed Foster “in self-defense” because Foster was afraid, his lawyer argued.
Some of the mayhem was recorded on Facebook live video. Although not visible at the time, audio recordings included gunshots and car horns following the collision. Police were seen helping the injured after the crowd screamed.
Doug O’Connell, Perry’s attorney, said in a statement that his client was “thrilled” to hear the news.
“I spoke to Daniel this afternoon. He is excited and overjoyed to be free. Daniel is also optimistic about his future,” O’Connell said in a statement. “He wishes this tragic event had never happened and that he did not have to defend himself against Mr. Foster’s misconduct. At the same time, Daniel wishes that the Foster family would be saddened. We look forward to seeing Daniel again with his family and loved ones.”
But Foster’s former lawyer, Quentin Brogdon, said the slain BLM protester’s mother, Sheila Foster, was “shocked” to hear of the pardon when she spoke to Abbott on Thursday. .
“To say she is devastated is an understatement,” Brogdon said. CNN.
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Please share this post!
