Preparedness
Texas Governor’s Full Pardon Sparks Controversy in Self-Defense Case
In a recent turn of events, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has fully pardoned an individual convicted of a homicide committed during a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020 in Austin, Texas. The man in question, Daniel Perry, was found guilty in April 2023 following an eight-day-long trial, which ended after a 17-hour deliberation.
Perry’s defense rested on his claim that the fatal shooting of Garrett Foster was an act of self-defense. According to Perry, Foster, an ex-mechanic of the U.S. Air Force, and other protesters, were hitting his car. Foster, who was lawfully armed with an AK-47, allegedly pointed the weapon at Perry, who then shot and killed him.
In their case, prosecutors used witness testimonies, which opposed Perry’s narrative, and Perry’s own social media posts, which they labeled as racist.
“The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles conducted an exhaustive review of U. S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry’s personal history and the facts surrounding the July 2020 incident and recommended a Full Pardon and Restoration of Full Civil Rights of Citizenship,” Abbott announced.
“Among the voluminous files reviewed by the Board, they considered information provided by the Travis County District Attorney, the full investigative report on Daniel Perry, plus a review of all the testimony provided at trial,” Abbott continued. “Texas has one of the strongest ‘Stand Your Ground’ laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney.”
The convicted Perry was initially sentenced to serve 25 years.
Democrat Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas publicly condemned Governor Abbott’s decision. “Before Daniel Perry murdered a veteran in 2020, he told a friend he ‘might go to Dallas to shoot looters.’ A year before, he wrote, ‘to bad we can’t get paid for hunting Muslims.’ @GovAbbott’s alliance with white nationalists is putting dangerous people on our streets,” Castro tweeted.
Whitney Mitchell, Foster’s fiancée, and her family also voiced their disapproval of the governor’s decision. “It sends a chilling message about the value of human life and the strength of political influence, eroding trust in the institutions meant to protect us,” they stated. “We stand today, heartbroken but resolute, in our call for a justice system that serves the people without bias and without undue political influence.”
Perry’s lawyer, Doug O’Connell, shared his relief at the turn of events. “Daniel Perry was imprisoned for 372 days and lost the military career that he loved. The action by Governor Abbott and the Pardon Board corrects the courtroom travesty which occurred over a year ago and represents true justice in this case,” he expressed.
Travis County District José Garza, who Abbott criticized for convicting Perry, denounced the pardon. “The Board and the Governor have put their politics over justice and made a mockery of our legal system. They should be ashamed of themselves,” he declared.
“They have sent a message to Garrett Foster’s family, to his partner, and to our community that his life does not matter,” Garza continued. “To the family and friends of Garrett Foster, and to the people of Travis County, we will not stop fighting for justice.”
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Royce Colvard
May 25, 2024 at 11:26 am
Don’t go pointing Ak47s at people if you don’t expect consequences for your actions. Too many BLM protesters were being let off easy for the crimes they committed so if it was the other way around would the outcome had been different
william moore
May 25, 2024 at 11:58 am
i would have done the same thing to defend myse;f and loved ones in my car! like he did!!!
Paul
May 25, 2024 at 2:24 pm
If you come at me with intent to harm me or any of my family, you are not getting up, so make sure your insurance is payed up.
Leo Frey
May 25, 2024 at 5:11 pm
When you take a gun to a protest, and then on top of that, Become combatative and unruly, then expect the outcome that occurred. The guy received his just reward.
Regor Trevlac
May 25, 2024 at 11:24 pm
The injustice here is believing that it’s OK to threaten someone with death or bodily harm and not be met with the same. The stand your ground rule is important since running away gets you shot in the back.
Mrs. Pat
May 26, 2024 at 1:07 am
This man was doing what he needed to do, protect himself from harm. The BLM activist for what he deserved . A person defending himself doesn’t fit the liberal narrative.
Ryan
May 26, 2024 at 7:47 pm
As a gun owner, if you point your gun at someone else, you better be aware of the possibility and prepared to meet your maker is all I have to say…
Roy
May 27, 2024 at 11:56 am
Just like the guy in Seattle during the “SUMMER OF lOVE”. He GETS CAUGHT IN THE MODDLE OF A PROTEST MARCH AND PEOPLE ARE TAKING PICTURES OF HIM, MEANWHILE HITTING HIS VAN, ROCKING HIS VAN, ETC. He pulls a weapon from under the seat and has it sitting in his lap. OUT of the HUNDREDS of pictures taken NOT ONE shows the weapon leave his lap and point it at anyone. He was later arrested for “brandishing” a weapon. Yet protestors were allowed to harm people who disagreed with them, torch buildings, loot, rob, pillage, etc. I think that if you intend me harm then I HAVE THE RIGHT to defend myself to the fullest extent and if that means permanently stopping you , so be it. Just like the guy who ran up on this guy in his car while pointing an AK-47 at him. Dude in the car managed to cap his ass but then he gets arrested for murder. ALL the proof shows he had EVERY right to shoot the other guy. Woke is beyond out of hand or out of control. This WOKE crap needs to be woke on and put to sleep.
Eleanor Santo
May 27, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Good ! It’s time that leftist judges and DAs have created this problem and we are sick of Antifa and BLM beig given a pass for doing worse while conservatives are treated like the scum of the earth