An Army sergeant who was convicted of murder for fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester during the violent 2020 riots in downtown Austin, Texas, is causing controversy as Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expressed interest in pardoning him.
Army Sergeant ( Photo: The New York Times )
Army Sgt. Daniel Perry was found guilty of murdering Garrett Foster
An Air Force veteran who was carrying an AK-47 during the protest, and was sentenced to life in prison. Attorneys for Perry argued that he acted in self-defense after Foster raised the rifle at him, while prosecutors alleged that Perry instigated the shooting.
Travis County District Attorney José Garza hit back at Governor Abbott, stating that it is “deeply troubling” that the governor wants to pardon Perry after a jury of twelve had found him guilty. Garza emphasized that it is the jury that gets to decide whether a defendant is guilty or innocent, not the governor.
Garza’s statement came after Governor Abbott criticized Perry’s conviction, saying that he has already asked the Board of Pardons and Paroles to review Perry’s case and determine whether he should be granted a pardon.
Whitney Mitchell, Foster’s fiancée, expressed disappointment in Governor Abbott’s actions, stating that “there are two legal systems in Texas: one for those with power, like Mr. Perry, and one for everyone else.” Perry was working as an Uber driver when he encountered a large Black Lives Matter demonstration and opened fire with a handgun in self-defense after a group of protesters encircled his vehicle and Foster raised the AK-47.
Prosecutors focused on Perry’s past messages and social media posts before the shooting to demonstrate his state of mind. Perry faces life in prison when he is sentenced, and Garza said the judge “will be able to consider and evaluate additional evidence” during the sentencing hearing.
Garza, who is supported by funding from leftwing billionaire George Soros, has been criticized for what some see as soft-on-crime policies
An investigation by local news outlet KVUE in 2021 found that Garza’s office had dismissed dozens of felony cases for serious crimes, including aggravated robbery and assault of a pregnant woman. Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have both criticized Garza and called for laws to rein in “rogue” district attorneys.
In conclusion, the case of Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for killing a Black Lives Matter protester during the 2020 riots in downtown Austin, Texas, has caused controversy as Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed interest in pardoning him.
Travis County District Attorney José Garza has responded to Governor Abbott’s criticism, emphasizing that a jury of twelve had already found Perry guilty, and the governor’s intervention is troubling. Perry faces life in prison, and the judge will consider additional evidence during his sentencing hearing.
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