Texas pardons board to fast-track investigation into Sgt Daniel Perry conviction

Under Texas law, the Board must first review the case and then make a recommendation to pardon in order for the governor to grant the pardon.

Less than 24 hours after the guilty verdict was delivered against Perry, Gov. Abbott publicly called for a pardon of Perry.

Abbott has firmly stood by Perry’s innocence on the grounds of self-defense stating, "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."

The governor is optimistic about his call to action stating, "I have made that request and instructed the Board to expedite its review. I look forward to approving the Board's pardon recommendation as soon as it hits my desk."

Monday, Rachel Alderete, the director of support operations with the Board, confirmed in a written statement to CBS Austin, "Chairman [David] Gutierrez, the Presiding Officer of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has received a request from Governor Abbott asking for an expedited investigation, along with a recommendation as to a pardon for U.S. Army Sergeant Daniel Perry. The board will be commencing that investigation immediately. Upon completion, the board will report to the governor on the investigation and make recommendations to the governor."

Perry was found guilty of murder on Friday for the fatal shooting of Garrett Foster in 2020.

A U.S. Army Sergeant stationed at Fort Hood, Perry was driving in downtown Austin when he encountered a BLM protest in which Foster, armed with an AK-47, was participating.

According to Perry’s defense, as Perry attempted to maneuver his vehicle through the protest, which had spilled into the street, Foster approached his vehicle and pointed his weapon at Perry. Taking this action to be a threat upon his life, Perry fired at Foster who died.

After Perry’s guilty verdict was delivered, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton slammed Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza as "Soros backed," referring to funding Garza had received from billionaire George Soros.

AG Paxton went on to say Garza had "weaponized the judicial system" and cowed to the "racial agenda" of liberal mobs and extremist groups stating the DA had criminalized personal freedoms like the "God-given right" to self-defense.

In a statement to Fox News, Paxton said, "Self-defense is a God-given right, not a crime. Unfortunately, the Soros-backed DA in Travis County cares more about the radical agenda of dangerous Antifa and BLM mobs than justice. This week has shown us how rogue prosecutors have weaponized the judicial system. They must be stopped."

While there is still no word on sentencing, Perry could face life in prison, a possibility Governor Abbott intends to prevent.