Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to refer an Austin jury’s murder conviction of Daniel Perry for shooting and killing Garrett Foster to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has stirred controversy. Now, Garrett Foster’s mother is pushing back on Abbott’s decision.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, Perry was convicted of murder in connection with an incident from 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests.
Perry, a U.S. Army sergeant, was driving for Uber through downtown Austin on July 25th, 2020. He drove into a crowd of demonstrators just a few streets from the Texas Capitol.
Among the crowd was Garrett Foster, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran who legally carried an AK-47-style rifle. Witnesses dispute who aimed his weapon first, but both men reportedly drew before Perry shot and killed Foster.
The defense argued that this was done in self-defense, but a jury convicted Perry of murder and deadly conduct.
Abbott referred the conviction for pardon, noting that Texas has firm “Stand your Ground” laws.
Garrett Foster’s mother, Sheila Foster, told CBS News that the news “buckled” her.
“And when [Abbott’s announcement] happened on Saturday, it literally buckled me over,” said Sheila Foster. “I haven’t left my house. I didn’t do anything on Easter. I’m shaking like a leaf right now. I’m sick to my stomach. I can’t eat anything, and it’s almost like all that weight was lifted in that verdict and now it feels like the biggest hammer in the world is come down crashing on me.”
Sheila Foster’s civil attorney, DFW-based trial lawyer Quentin Brogdon, also decried the governor’s decision as an attempt to subvert the rule of law.
“Nobody, including the governor of the State of Texas, should shut down the process of the rule of law and it appears that’s what the intent is here,” argued Brogdon, per CBS News.
On the other hand, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement applauding Governor Abbott’s decision.
“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.”
The Board of Pardons and Paroles is looking into Perry’s case following Abbott’s request but has not yet announced any action on the matter.
