U.S. Army sergeant found guilty of murder in 2020 shooting of Austin protester Garrett Foster

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A Travis County jury discovered Military Sgt. Daniel Perry, 33, responsible of homicide on Friday, virtually three years after he shot and killed Austin protester Garrett Foster.

In 2021 Perry was indicted for homicide, aggravated assault and lethal conduct expenses for capturing Foster throughout a July 2020 protest in downtown Austin. The jury additionally discovered Perry not responsible of aggravated assault with a lethal weapon after deliberating for 17 hours Thursday and Friday following an eight-day trial.

The indictment got here one 12 months after Texans took to the streets to protest police brutality following the homicide of George Floyd, a Black man killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in Could 2020.

Foster attended an Austin protest on July 25 whereas Perry was downtown driving for Uber. In accordance with police, Perry stopped his automotive and honked at folks protesting whereas they walked by means of the road, blocks from the state Capitol. Seconds later, he drove his automotive into the gang, police stated.

Foster, who was a 28-year-old white man and an Air Power veteran, had been seen overtly carrying an AK-47 rifle on the time, which is authorized. There are conflicting accounts as as to if Foster raised the rifle to the motive force first — however seconds later Perry, who was additionally legally armed, shot and killed Foster and fled the realm, police stated. He referred to as the police and reported what occurred, claiming he shot in self protection after Foster aimed his weapon at him. Perry can be a white man.

The case sparked debates over Texas’ “stand your floor” regulation, which permits folks to make use of lethal power in opposition to another person in the event that they really feel they’re in peril. However Perry’s social media posts about retaliating in opposition to protesters raised questions concerning the shooter’s mind-set and his self-defense declare.

The “stand your floor” regulation prohibits a person from arguing self-defense in the event that they provoked a risk from another person. Witnesses stated that Perry appeared to drive threateningly into the gang earlier than pictures had been fired, and his actions appeared intentional.

Choose Clifford Brown stated the sentencing listening to may occur as early as subsequent Tuesday, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Perry faces at the very least 5 years in jail, however homicide convictions may end up in a life sentence in Texas.

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