Texas Governor Greg Abbott granted a full pardon Thursday to former U.S. Army sergeant Daniel Perry, who had been convicted of murder in the shooting death of an armed protester during a 2020 Black Lives Matter march.
The move received praise from conservatives on X, with many prominent voices like Kyle Rittenhouse calling it “the right thing” to do.
“I am proud to call you my governor,” Rittenhouse said of Abbott. “You did the right thing today by setting Daniel Perry free for defending himself.”
“The right to self-defense is sacred, and you showed that we are allowed to defend ourselves in the great state of Texas,” he continued.
Daniel Perry was convicted of murder in the shooting death of 28-year-old Garrett Foster in 2020.
Abbott’s decision to pardon him swiftly followed a unanimous recommendation by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in favor of pardoning Perry and reinstating his firearms rights, Fox News reported.
Texas law states the governor is unable to issue a pardon without such a recommendation from the board, which is appointed by the governor himself.
Abbott emphasized the thoroughness of the board’s review of Perry’s personal history and the circumstances surrounding the July 2020 incident in a statement.
“The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles conducted an exhaustive review of U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry’s personal history and the facts surrounding the July 2020 incident and recommended a Full Pardon and Restoration of Full Civil Rights of Citizenship,” he said.
Abbott highlighted Texas’s robust “Stand Your Ground” law, emphasizing that self-defense rights under this law cannot be overridden by a jury or a progressive District Attorney.
He expressed gratitude to the Board for its diligent investigation and endorsed their recommendation for Perry’s pardon.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton weighed in on the news too: “Governor Abbott has just pardoned Sergeant Daniel Perry after a unanimous recommendation by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.”
“Americans across the country have been watching this case in Texas and praying for justice after BLM riots terrorized the nation in 2020. Our right to self-defense is enshrined in the Constitution,” he added.
Perry, who had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for Foster’s murder, expressed relief upon hearing the news of his pardon.
His attorney, Douglas K. O’Connell, conveyed Perry’s emotions, stating that his client is “thrilled and elated to be free” and remains hopeful for his future.
ABC 7 reported that O’Connell also expressed Perry’s remorse for the tragic incident and his recognition of the Foster family’s grief. Perry’s legal team looks forward to his reunion with family and loved ones.
Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza vehemently criticized the pardon, denouncing it as a “mockery of our legal system.”
Garza said, “The board and the governor have prioritized their political agendas over justice. Their actions are not only shameful but also in violation of the law, sending a clear message that there are unequal standards of justice in this state, where some lives are valued more than others.”
“This decision delivers a devastating blow to Garrett Foster’s family, his partner, and our entire community, signaling that his life holds no significance,” he continued.
Prosecutors contended during the trial that Perry had alternative options besides resorting to gunfire, emphasizing witness testimonies that failed to corroborate Foster’s alleged threat.
The verdict found Perry guilty, despite the absence of his testimony and two days of jury deliberation.
Perry, who served over a decade in the Army, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder attributed to his deployment in Afghanistan and childhood bullying, a forensic psychologist shared during the trial.
Perry was stationed at Fort Cavazos at the time of the incident. He was later relocated to Fort Hood, situated approximately 70 miles north of Austin.
The post Kyle Rittenhouse Responds After Texas Governor Greg Abbott Grants Full Pardon For Army Sergeant Who Killed BLM Protestor appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.
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Author: Jordyn M.
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