Texas Governor Greg Abbott pardoned Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for shooting an armed protester during a Black Lives Matter protest in Austin in 2020.
Perry, a former U.S. Army sergeant, claimed self-defense when he shot Garrett Foster, who was legally carrying an AK-47. Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison before his pardon.
The decision to pardon Perry was met with criticism, with Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza accusing the governor and board of prioritizing politics over justice. Garza stated that the pardon sent a message that some lives are valued more than others.
Abbott defended the decision, citing Texas’ strong self-defense laws. The pardon followed a request by Fox News host Tucker Carlson for intervention in Perry’s case.
