Daniel Perry Convicted Of Murder In Texas For BLM Related Shooting In 2020
United States Army Sgt. Daniel Perry was convicted of murder in an Austin, Texas court last week for shooting a BLM protestor in 2020 in what he claims was self-defense. Perry was on active duty in the military and stationed at Fort Hood, Texas at the time of the incident.
On the night of July 25, 2020, Perry was driving for Uber when Garret Foster, an Air Force veteran, allegedly pointed an AK-47 at his vehicle. This is when Perry reached for his firearm and fatally shot Foster. His lawyers argue that Perry acted in self-defense, and he feared for his life.
Prosecutors in the case told the courtroom that Perry provoked Foster by attempting to drive down a public city street where the crowd of protestors had flooded the area. The protestors began surrounding and “striking” vehicles, including Perry’s, creating a chaotic scene. In essence, the prosecutors made the case that individuals who wish to drive through an American city at the wrong time of night forfeit their right to self-defense.
Initially, the Austin Police Department determined the shooting was a justifiable homicide. According to Reuters, “The case hinged on whether the shooting was in self-defense.” After just 17 hours of deliberation, the jury ruled that Perry was guilty of murder.
On Tuesday, Perry’s attorneys filed a motion to receive a new trial because they believe exonerating evidence was excluded from the trial, and they allege that one juror broke protocol by searching for information surrounding the case outside of the courtroom.
“Attorneys for Perry argued in the motion for a new trial that excluded evidence shows Foster was ‘the first aggressor’ and had a history of scaring ‘other drivers who he believed might interfere with his objective to ‘take the streets.'”
Fox News
Texas recognizes Constitutional Carry and allows citizens older than 21 years of age to carry a firearm open or concealed without obtaining a permit. Additionally, Texas has “Stand Your Ground” laws, which stipulate that the individual just needs to “prove they had a legal right to be present during the act of defense.”
After Perry received a guilty verdict, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that he has recommended to the state’s Board of Pardons and Parole that Perry be officially pardoned. “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,” Governor Abbott wrote. “The Texas Constitution limits the Governor’s pardon authority to only act on a recommendation by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Texas law DOES allow the Governor to request the Board of Pardons and Paroles to determine if a person should be granted a pardon. I have made that request and instructed the Board to expedite its review.”
