Texas Governor Greg Abbott pardoned Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, citing the state’s stand-your-ground law and the right to self-defense. Perry was convicted by Travis County Court in April 2023 of shooting and killing Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest.
“Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ self-defense laws that cannot be overridden by a jury or a progressive district attorney,” Abbott said in a written statement Thursday.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole issued a unanimous recommendation against Sergeant Johnson after what Abbott called a “thorough review.” Perry’s personal history and the facts surrounding his shooting of protester Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in July 2020.
“The Texas Board of Pardons and Parole thoroughly investigated the personal history of U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry and the facts surrounding the July 2020 incident and recommended a full pardon and full restoration of citizenship. “We did,” Abbott said.
In PArdon DeclarationAbbott writes in part:
On July 25, 2020, Daniel Scott Perry was driving on a public street in Austin when he encountered a group of protesters who slowed his car and blocked traffic as he turned the corner on Congress Avenue.and
Meanwhile, Daniel Scott Perry’s car was quickly surrounded by aggressive protesters who rushed to block it, punching, slapping, smashing and kicking it.and
Garrett Foster then came within 18 inches of Daniel Scott Perry’s car and confronted him, brandishing a Kalashnikov-style rifle in a low firing position.and
Meanwhile, Daniel Scott Perry fired his handgun to eliminate the threat to Garrett Foster’s safety and called police less than a minute later to report the incident.and
Meanwhile, Daniel Scott Perry told law enforcement at the time that he used the weapon because he feared for his life, and has since consistently said he acted in self-defense.
The governor went on to say that Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza is prioritizing “reducing access to guns” that residents can use to protect themselves. He accused the district attorney of withholding “exculpatory evidence from the grand jury,” and said the DA’s office was not seeking “whether justice was served.”
The pardon will allow the sergeant to be fully rehabilitated. Perry’s civil rights include the right to own and possess firearms.
In April 2023, Governor Abbott directed the Pardon and Parole Board to “expedite its review” and said, “I look forward to approving the board’s clemency recommendation once it reaches my desk.” Breitbart Texas reported.
The governor’s comments followed Sgt. On April 7, 2023, a Travis County jury convicted Perry in the shooting death of Garrett Foster. Perry claimed Foster pointed an AK-47 at him after demonstrators stopped his car as Foster attempted to move through a group of protesters.
Breitbart News’ Simon Kent reported on the shooting that occurred during a Black Lives Matter protest in Austin on July 25, 2020.
In an April 2023 statement, the governor said he would prioritize cracking down on corrupt district attorneys.
