On Friday, one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in recent memory occurred after Daniel Perry, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, was convicted of murder. He was charged by George Soros-backed prosecutor in Austin, TX after he shot a Black Lives Matter protester in self-defense.
In July 2020, amidst a rash of nationwide riots, Perry was working as an Uber driver when he turned down a street filled with BLM protesters. The mob surrounded his car, kicking and punching it. One activist, a man named Garrett Foster, then pointed an AK-47 at Perry. At that point Perry shot five shots, killing Foster.
Perry immediately turned himself in, cooperated with authorities, and explained that he had acted in self-defense, fearing that he was about to be shot. The police investigation agreed with him, but Jose Garza, the DA in question, chose to prosecute the case anyway.
It was clear from the beginning that Garza wanted to claim a scalp to please the far left, and so much misconduct occurred that the lead detective on the case accused him of concealing exculpatory evidence.
Daniel Perry case — read the affidavit from the lead detective, claiming that the Soros DA directed him "to remove exculpatory information that I had intended to present to the grand jury during my testimony."
This detective believes the Soros DA acted criminally. pic.twitter.com/3iDhWUZLkh
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) April 8, 2023
Upon Perry’s conviction by a jury pulled from one of the most liberal areas of the country, calls to pardon him began immediately. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. In Texas, the governor does not have broad pardon power and must instead receive a recommendation for a pardon from the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Still, Gov. Greg Abbott has gotten the message loud and clear, and he’s already taken the first step in securing Perry’s release. Specifically, he’s told the board to review the case and has ordered that they expedite the request.
I am working as swiftly as Texas law allows regarding the pardon of Sgt. Perry. pic.twitter.com/HydwdzneMU
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 8, 2023
Hopefully, given that the governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the body will take an honest look at the case and see that Perry obviously acted in self-defense, being in legitimate fear for his life as a mob descended on him and a man pointed a rifle at him. What Garza has done here is a travesty, and it can’t be allowed to stand.
If the board doesn’t offer the recommendation, though, then things get more complicated. At that point, the Texas legislature would need to propose an amendment to the state’s constitution. After that, a simple majority of voters would need to approve it via a special election. Abbott could then pardon Perry without further interference.
Yes, that would be a lot of work to free one man, but it has to happen. As I said, this perversion of justice must not be allowed to stand. If it does, it would mark open season on those legitimately exercising self-defense.
In the meantime, it may also be possible for Abbott to offer relief in the interim. The head of the Board of Criminal Justice, which oversees the state prison system, was appointed by the governor. Perhaps there’s a way to move Perry to a halfway house so he’s not stuck in a prison cell. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, though, and that the board that can save Perry’s life does the right thing and does it quickly.
A pardon stills leaves him as a convicted felon. No guns, no right to vote and a lot of other things. He needs to expunge the record.