Greg Abbott Declares Open Season on Protesters in Texas
Mother JonesMay 31
Texas Gov. Abbott Pardons Man Who Killed BLM Protester
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The Facts
On Thursday, GOP Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pardoned Daniel Perry, who last May was convicted by a Travis County jury and sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing Garrett Foster during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest.
Abbott asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to examine Perry's case one day after the conviction, citing Texas' "Stand Your Ground" laws as the rationale, saying they can't "be nullified by a jury or a progressive" district attorney.
The Spin
Left narrative
Abbott has shown he has no respect for independent legal proceedings. Especially in light of Perry's racist texts and social media posts becoming public after his conviction, he does not belong out on the street. Abbott and Perry's other right-wing advocates show they value human life less than they're devoted to bloodlust, bigotry, and street violence.
Right narrative
Abbott had no choice but to pardon Perry, considering Texas law and the Travis County district attorney's eagerness to ignore it while prosecuting this case. The protests grew into riots, and no one could blame Perry for being scared and acting to protect himself. There might've been exculpatory evidence unethically omitted from the trial, as well.