Controversy Over Pardon for Former Army Sergeant Convicted of Murder

By Steve Gorman

A recent decision by Texas Governor Gregg Abbott to pardon former U.S. Army sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of murder for fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester, has sparked outrage and legal challenges. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, who prosecuted the case, has taken the unusual step of asking the state’s highest criminal court to reverse the pardon, alleging that Abbott violated the state constitution’s separation of powers doctrine and failed to follow proper legal procedures.

Perry, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting Garrett Foster during a protest against racial injustice, claimed he acted in self-defense as Foster was brandishing a weapon. However, prosecutors argued that Foster was legally armed and was trying to protect fellow protesters from Perry, who they believed posed a threat with his vehicle.

The case became a lightning rod for political conservatives, with Abbott granting Perry a full pardon based on the state’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense laws. Garza and Foster’s family, however, have criticized the decision as politically motivated and a miscarriage of justice.

Garza’s move to challenge the pardon comes on the heels of a plea by 13 U.S. states’ attorneys general for a federal civil rights investigation into Foster’s killing. The legal battle over Perry’s pardon is shaping up to be a contentious and high-profile test of the justice system.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as it continues to unfold.