Daniel Perry, the man responsible for gunning down a Black Lives Matter protester, Garrett Foster, was pardoned by Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday, May 16.
NBCDFW reports the Texas governor made the announcement after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles announced the “unanimous recommendation.”
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Perry was released shortly after his pardon by the Republican politician. In addition to his freedom, Daniel will regain his right to carry firearms. He was convicted and sentenced in 2023 to 25 years in prison for murdering Garrett Foster.
Whitney Mitchell, Foster’s girlfriend, stated that Abbott’s actions exemplified “lawlessness.”
“With this pardon, the governor has desecrated the life of a murdered Texan and U.S. Air Force veteran and impugned that jury’s just verdict. He has declared that Texans who hold political views that are different from his and different from those in power can be killed in this state with impunity,” she said.
Mitchell was present when the love of her life was killed. The night Garrett was murdered, Perry was working as a ride-share driver. He claimed he acted in self-defense when he encountered a demonstration in Austin, TX. The prosecution argued that he could have driven away from the confrontation with Garret, but he didn’t. A white Air Force veteran who was also present stated Foster never raised his firearm before Perry shot him.
Social Media Reacts To Perry’s Pardon
Social media users reacted to the Texas governor’s decision in The Shade Room’s comment section.
@godschildjason said, “God gone spin the block.”
@jayt.music stated, “Meanwhile Elijah Nichols is sitting in jail right now since he was 18 years old after he was jumped by three white frat boys and called the n word and because he defended himself (no one died) he was charged by a judge with a 45 year jail sentence ON HIS FIRST OFFENSE. He is a father and was an honor student in college. But this guy gets pardon while Elijan is STILL in jail for defending himself.”
“Texas is the wildest places I’ve ever lived. Nothing makes sense here-education, healthcare…not even interstate signs,” @knoxie_roxie stated.
“The country literally tried to keep race wars going. I’m not surprised,” @vic_gatsby wrote.
@ampharris added, “He is showing you in real time what his super hero [Trump] is gonna do if re-elected. They show you who they are but some don’t believe it.”
“This is why I don’t understand the hype with everyone wanting to move to Texas. As a black woman, I wouldn’t feel safe,” @schuddershanice stated.
