Texas Gov. Abbott Pardons Man Who Killed Protester
The Facts
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday pardoned 37-year-old Daniel Perry, who last May was convicted by a Travis County jury and sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing US Air Force veteran Garrett Foster during a 2020 protest of police brutality against people of color.
Abbott, who asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to take a look at Perry's case one day after he was convicted, in a statement explaining the pardon cited Texas's "Stand Your Ground laws," which he said can't "be nullified by a jury or a progressive" district attorney.
The Spin
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. But Abbott and Perry's other right-wing advocates show they value human life less than they're devoted to bloodlust, bigotry, and criminality.
Abbott had no choice but to pardon Perry considering Texas law and Travis County DA'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.
