Texas Gov. Seeks to Pardon Army Sergeant Convicted of Murder
. The governor of Texas is seeking to pardon a U.S. Army sergeant who was convicted of murder in the 2020 fatal shooting of an armed protester during nationwide protests against police violence and racial injustice.
Greg Abbott announced on Saturday that he will seek to pardon an U.S. Army Sergeant convicted of murder for the fatal shooting in 2020 of an armed demonstrator during national protests against police brutality and racial justice.
Abbott tweeted that the state constitution only allows him to pardon if the Board of Pardons and Paroles of the state recommends it. He is therefore asking the board to expedite the request and recommend a Pardon. Daniel Perry.
Abbott wrote: 'I am looking forward to accepting the pardon recommendation of the board as soon as I receive it.
Perry was found guilty Friday by the Travis County jury for fatally shooting Garrett Foster, 28, during a protest held in Austin. When sentenced, he could face up to life imprisonment.
Abbott stated that Texas has one of strongest laws for self-defense, "Stand your Ground", which cannot be overturned by a District Attorney or jury.
On Saturday, I called the District Attorney's Office and was not answered.
Perry's lawyers argued that the shooting occurred in self-defense because Foster had approached Perry's vehicle with an AK47 rifle. The prosecution said that Perry could have fired his revolver before driving away, and witnesses testified to the fact that Foster did not raise his rifle towards Perry.
Perry, who was arrested in 2021, had been stationed at Ft. Hood, about 70 miles (1112 kilometers) north from Austin in July 2020. He was working for a company that provided ride-sharing services and turned into a street in downtown Austin and a large group of demonstrators.
On a live Facebook video, you can hear a car honking. Then several shots are fired and the protesters start screaming and scattering.
Demonstrators in Austin and elsewhere had marched in the streets in protest of the death of George Floyd by police for several weeks before Foster's death.
Floyd died on May 25, 2020 after a Minneapolis officer repeatedly pressed his knee to the Black man's throat for nine minutes. Floyd, who had his hands cuffed, said repeatedly that he could not breathe.