Daniel Perry sentencing for killing protester in 2020 underway in Texas court

Daniel Perry, an Military sergeant who was convicted final month of homicide within the lethal taking pictures of a protester in 2020, might be sentenced Tuesday. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has mentioned he needs to pardon Perry after he’s sentenced.

Perry, 35, was convicted on April 7 by a Travis County jury of murdering Garrett Foster, 28, on July 25, 2020, amid racial justice and police brutality protests in downtown Austin, Texas. 

Perry’s authorized group had argued he acted in self-defense, and alleged that Foster approached Perry’s automotive with an AK-47 rifle. Witnesses mentioned Foster by no means raised his weapon at Perry, who was stationed at close by Fort Hood and was working for a ride-sharing firm in Austin.

In video streamed stay to Fb the evening of the incident, a automotive will be heard honking earlier than a number of photographs rang out and protesters began screaming and scattering. Foster had been protesting for 50 straight days alongside his girlfriend, CBS Texas reported.  

Will Gov. Greg Abbott pardon Daniel Perry?

Perry probably faces as much as life in jail. However Abbott tweeted after his April 7 conviction that he can be asking the state’s Board of Pardons and Paroles to suggest a pardon for Perry. Resulting from Texas’ legislation concerning pardons, Abbott mentioned he can solely act on their advice.

“I look ahead to approving the board’s pardon advice as quickly because it hits my desk,” Abbott wrote on April 8.

Foster’s mom, Sheila Foster, advised CBS Texas that Abbott’s phrases “actually buckled me over. I have never left my home. I did not do something on Easter. I am shaking like a leaf proper now. I am sick to my abdomen. I can not eat something, and it is nearly like all that weight was lifted in that verdict and now it seems like the largest hammer on this planet is crashing down on me.”  

Perry’s previous social media posts and messages revealed

After Perry’s conviction, a Travis County district decide unsealed court docket information that exposed that earlier than the homicide, he searched on the web for phrases that included “protest in austin in the present day,” “protest in dallas in the present day” and “protesters in seattle get shot.” The submitting confirmed he had recordsdata on his telephones that included a meme that mentioned “IT’S A PROVEN FACT THAT CRIMINALS COMMIT LESS CRIME AFTER THEY’VE BEEN SHOT.”

Perry additionally messaged an acquaintance on Might 31 that he was “shopping for extra ammo” after the good friend advised him to be protected. In Fb Messenger change on the identical day, Perry wrote, “I might need to kill just a few individuals on my solution to work they’re rioting outdoors my residence complicated.” The particular person requested him “are you able to legally accomplish that?” to which Perry responded, “in the event that they assault me or attempt to pull me out of my automotive then sure. If I simply do it as a result of I’m driving by then no.” 

The court docket information additionally revealed a Fb publish from Perry through which he wrote, “It’s official I’m a racist as a result of I don’t agree with individuals performing like animals on the zoo. I used to be on the aspect of the protestors till the began with the looting and the violence.” 

On Might 29, 2020, he messaged an acquaintance, “I would go to Dallas to shoot looters.” On Might 30, 2020, when somebody messaged him to “Be sympathetic! These individuals really feel victimized and annoyed. Perceive,” Perry messaged “Silly idiots” and “That is Texas I’m wondering why no looters have been shot but.” 

In a June 2, 2020, change, Perry mentioned “I imagine there are politicians who’re simply as lethal because the Clinton’s however should not out within the open like they’re.” An acquaintance wrote again, “Daniel isnt value it bro, ypu are ready your greatest years your time and constructing a pointless hate, perhaps you need to deal with one thing else that isn’t so political as a result of we’re each within the backside of all of the bs.” After Perry mentioned he wished to stay “like a nomad,” the acquaintance wrote “If you wish to do this it is advisable step apart from these radical methods of pondering.” Perry responded later within the dialog, “I would not have something to stay for besides the navy and my cat that’s how unhappy my life has change into. I’ve not hanged out with anybody since covid hit.”

The court docket information revealed Perry messaged a good friend on July 26, 2020, “I used to be attacked yesterday and I needed to defend myself and I would like to speak.”