Texas Governor Greg Abbott has pardoned Daniel Perry, a convicted murderer who shot and killed 28-year-old Garrett Foster during a 2020 Black Lives Matter protest in Austin.
This move has sparked outrage, as Perry’s guilt was never in question, and he showed no remorse for his actions. Despite being convicted by a jury of his peers, Abbott promised to pardon Perry even before the verdict was issued, succumbing to pressure from high-profile conservatives like Tucker Carlson.
Perry’s crime was committed in broad daylight, with multiple witnesses testifying that he drew a handgun from his car and fired at Foster, who was carrying a rifle slung over his shoulder.
Governor’s Pardon of Protester’s Killer Raises Alarms About Justice and Equality
While Perry claimed self-defense, his own statements revealed a sinister motivation, as he had previously expressed a desire to kill Muslims, Black people, and protesters. Prosecutors presented evidence of Perry’s racist and violent ideology, including messages where he talked about killing looters and referred to protesters as “animals in a zoo.”
Abbott’s pardon has raised questions about his motivations, particularly given his scheduled appearance at the 2024 National Rifle Association conference alongside former President Donald Trump.
The move has also highlighted the highly politicized nature of this case, with many seeing it as a nod to conservative ideology rather than a genuine concern for justice.
Foster’s mother has expressed outrage and disappointment, remembering her son as a Second Amendment advocate who was killed for exercising his rights. The pardon has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling for accountability and an end to political interference in the justice system.
