There's breaking news on this Thursday afternoon out of Texas, as the state's Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, announces in a declaration that he has issued a pardon for Daniel Perry's conviction of shooting and killing a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protester--a process which began in April 2023.
BACKGROUND:
Soldier Charged With Murder After Shooting Armed BLM Protester
Sgt. Daniel Perry Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Black Lives Matter Rioter
Motion for Retrial in Daniel Perry Case Alleges Juror Misconduct and Withholding Evidence
via CBS Austin:
Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation Thursday granting a full pardon to U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020.
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously to recommend the pardon and recommended restoring Perry's firearm rights.
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. 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. 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. I thank the Board for its thorough investigation, and I approve their pardon recommendation." - Gov. Abbott
Perry was found guilty in April 2023 of fatally shooting Garrett Foster, who was attending a BLM protest in Austin following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Abbott's statement reads, in part:
“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 CBS Austin report continues with details on the review Gov. Abbott requested from the state parole board, which recommended the pardon:
A statement by the parole board said its members conducted a thorough review of the case, examining police reports, court records, witness statements and conducting interviews with individuals connected to the case. The board's unanimous decision to recommend a full pardon was reached Thursday, May 16, and conveyed to Gov. Abbott.
As this is a breaking story, RedState will bring you further updates as they become available.