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Texas governor pardons man convicted of killing Black Lives Matter protester

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Texas governor pardons man convicted of killing Black Lives Matter protester


Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday granted a full pardon to a former US Army sergeant and Uber driver who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020.

Abbott, a Republican, in his pardon proclamation cited the state’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defence law, one of the strongest such measures in the US.

The clemency proclamation was issued shortly after the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole unanimously recommended a pardon for Daniel Perry and restoration of his firearm rights following an investigation that the board conducted at the governor’s request.

Perry, 37, was found guilty in April 2023 of murder in the death of 28-year-old Garrett Foster, a US Air Force veteran who was gunned down at a Black Lives Matter rally in Austin, the state capital, in July 2020.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks to attendees during the New York Republican State Committee Annual Gala in New York in April. Photo: Reuters

The demonstration came amid a storm of protests across the country against racial injustice and police brutality in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in May of that year.

Perry has insisted he was acting in self-defence when he shot Foster, asserting that he had no choice but to open fire with his handgun when Foster pointed the AK-47 he was legally carrying at Perry. Perry is white, as was Foster.

Perry was driving in Austin that night and had turned his Uber car onto a street where the demonstrators were marching, leading members of the crowd to believe they were in danger of being assaulted by his vehicle, according to media accounts of the incident.

At trial, the two sides presented conflicting accounts of whether Foster levelled his gun at Perry.

In his pardon proclamation, Abbott said the jury’s verdict in effect “nullified” the state’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defence law. The statute removes a person’s duty to retreat from an unprovoked threat of violence before using deadly force if that person has a right to be there.

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Perry’s lawyer, Doug O’Connell, said the pardon “corrects the courtroom travesty” of his client’s conviction, adding that Perry was “thrilled and elated to be free”.

“Daniel Perry was imprisoned for 372 days and lost the military career he loved,” O’Connell said in the statement, quoted by Austin television station KXAN. “We intend to fight to get Daniel’s military service characterisation upgraded to an honourable discharge.”

03:30

Black Lives Matter protests sweep the globe after police killing of George Floyd in US

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Black Lives Matter protests sweep the globe after police killing of George Floyd in US

According to KXAN, Foster’s fiancée, Whitney Mitchell, shared her reaction in a joint statement with her mother, calling the pardon a “devastating blow” that “reopened deep wounds”.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, a Democrat whose office brought the case against Perry, decried the pardon, saying that the parole board and the governor had “put their politics over justice and made a mockery of our legal system”.

The parole board gave no specific reason for its recommendation, but said its investigation “delved into the intricacies” of Perry’s case, including a review of police reports, court records and witness statements.



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Austin, TX

Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country

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Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country


We will be on storm watch tonight. 

Local perspective:

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More of the same today with a cloud/sun mix, warm, humid and breezy conditions. 

Highs heading for the 80s with wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph.

The backstory:

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The West Texas dryline will be the storm machine. This is where the Gulf moisture meets up with dry air coming off the mountains. 

As the two different air masses collide the air will be forced up. 

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The heating of the day and upper low will provide even stronger lift to generate numerous and more intense storms in West Texas. 

There is a chance a few of the storms will survive their journey away from the dryline and reach the Hill Country starting this evening and overnight. 

By the time they enter Central Texas, most of the storms will drop below severe limits. 

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The highest threat of severe weather remains west of the Hill Country.

What’s next:

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Could we get redevelopment with the storms late on Wednesday? 

The jury is still out because not all the models agree, so we will have to play the wait and see game. 

The next game-changers will be a stronger Western Low and a cold front with bite to it entering the picture this weekend. 

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Expecting increasing rain chances on Saturday followed by a cooler and drier breeze the rest of the weekend.

What you can do:

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Track your local forecast for the Austin area quickly with the free FOX 7 WAPP. 

The design gives you radar, hourly, and 7-day weather information just by scrolling. 

Our weather alerts will warn you early and help you stay safe.

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The Source: Information from meteorologist Zack Shields.

WeatherAustin



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Austin, TX

Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says

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Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says


Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed concern Monday about two items on the Austin Transit Partnership Board agenda later this week, one to negotiate an office lease in a downtown office building for up to $32 million for roughly 8 years and another to furnish the space for $15 million. READ MORE: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/inappropriate-mayor-pushes-back-on-47m-light-rail-office-relocation-plan/



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George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today

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George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today


The dazzling stage lights and shattered disco ball textures evoke the electrifying energy of a George Strait concert, where the country legend continues to captivate audiences even as his legendary career nears its end.Austin Today

George Strait thrilled fans with an unforgettable concert at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, delivering a set packed with his signature No. 1 hits. The country music legend’s return to the stage after nearly four years left some wondering how much longer he plans to continue performing, as Strait has hinted at retirement in the past.

Why it matters

As one of the most influential and successful country artists of all time, George Strait’s concerts have become must-see events for his devoted fanbase. This performance in Austin showcased Strait’s enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career.

The details

Strait’s concert at the Moody Center on Thursday night was his first at the venue since April 2022. The show featured a hit-filled setlist that had the capacity crowd singing along. Strait shared a video on Instagram teasing the performance, writing ‘What a night Austin, TX! Who’s ready to do it again on Saturday?’ While the video didn’t show any full performances, it did include a snippet of Strait singing his 2024 single ‘Three Drinks Down’.

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  • Strait last performed at the Moody Center in April 2022.
  • He is scheduled to play another show at the Moody Center on Saturday, April 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks…it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did.”

— George Strait

What’s next

Strait is scheduled to perform another show at the Moody Center in Austin on Saturday, April 13, 2026, giving fans another chance to see the country legend in action.

The takeaway

George Strait’s epic return to the Moody Center stage in Austin underscores his enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career. Fans cherished the opportunity to witness the ‘King of Country Music’ deliver a hit-filled set, leaving them to wonder how much longer they’ll be able to see Strait perform live.

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