Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a pardon to U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, citing the state’s Stand Your Ground laws and the right of self-defense. Perry was convicted by a Travis County court in April 2023 for shooting and killing Garret Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest.
“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,” Abbott said in a written statement on Thursday.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a unanimous recommendation following what Abbott called “an exhaustive review” of Sgt. Perry’s personal history and the facts surrounding the incident during the July 2020 Black Lives Matter protest where Perry shot and killed protester Garret Foster.
“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 stated.
In the Pardon Proclamation, Abbott wrote, in part:
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2020, Daniel Scott Perry, while driving ona public road in Austin, slowed his vehicle as he rounded a corner onto Congress Avenue and encountered a group of protestors obstructing traffic; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Scott Perry’s car was immediately surrounded by aggressive protestors who rushed to obstruct, strike, pound, smash, and kick his vehicle; and
WHEREAS, Garrett Foster then approached within 18 inches of Daniel Scott Perry’s car, confronted him, and brandished a Kalashnikov-style rifle in the low-ready firing position; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Scott Perry fired his handgun at Garrett Foster to eliminate a perceived threat to his safety and called law enforcement less than one minute later to inform them of the incident; and
WHEREAS, Daniel Scott Perry explained to law enforcement at the time that he used his weapon because he feared losing his life and has since consistently stated that he acted in self-defense
The governor went on to state that Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza prioritized “reducing access to guns” that citizens could use to defend themselves. He accused the district attorney of withholding “exculpatory evidence from the Grand Jury” and said the DA had not sought “to see that justice had been done.”
The pardon provides full restoration of Sgt. Perry’s civil rights of citizenship, including the right to own and possess firearms.
In April 2023, Governor Abbott directed the Board of Pardons and Paroles to “expedite its review,” adding, “I look forward to approving the Board’s pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk,” Breitbart Texas reported.
The governor’s comments followed Sgt. Perry’s conviction on April 7, 2023, by a jury in Travis County for the shooting death of Garret Foster. Perry claimed Foster pointed an AK-47 at him after protesters stopped his car as he attempted to move through the protest group.
Breitbart News’ Simon Kent reported the shooting which took place on July 25, 2020, during a Black Lives Matter protest in Austin.
In his April 2023 statement, the governor said he would prioritize reining in rogue District Attorneys.”
