Texas: Daniel Perry Gets Punishment Over BLM Shooting

Daniel Perry, the self-admitted racist promised to be pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott after he killed a BLM protester, was sentenced to 25 years in prison over the murder of US Air Force veteran Garrett Foster while he was at a BLM rally in downtown Austin on July 25, 2020.

Perry's conviction was an emotional affair for Foster's family, with his mother, Sheila Foster, telling the court, "After three long years, we're finally getting justice for Garrett."

Whitney Mitchell, Foster's fiancée, was also present during the sentencing, and she was seen in tears as Perry's sentence was announced.

Mitchell, who is disabled and needs to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life after an amputation, describer her fiancée. He took care of me," she said as she was tearing up. He would wash my face, do my hair, he helped me put my clothing on, he helped put on my makeup ... He helped me when I couldn't do anything."

According to the New York Post, Foster was carrying a legal AK-47 rifle during the BLM protest, and Perry's attorneys argued that their client was only acting in self-defense after Foster raised his rifle at him. He shot his handgun multiple times at Foster, killing the former Air Force veteran.

However, during the trial, witnesses testified that Foster was only pushing his fiancée's wheelchair during the BLM protest, and he never even pointed his firearm at Perry. Prosecutors also pointed to the former Army Sergeant's previous social media posts that showed his racist tendencies.

Texas BLM Shooter Daniel Perry and His Controversial Social Media Posts

During the hearing, dozens of the Texas gunman's texts and social media posts were presented. They showed that the former US Army sergeant frequently posted, shared, and liked racist images and messaging. It also showed that he went to the Austin BLM protest looking for trouble.

In a text message as the BLM rallies over George Floyd's death were already underway, Perry texted an acquaintance, "I might go to Dallas to shoot looters."

In another text message, he wrote, "I wonder if they will let my cut the ears off of people who's decided to commit suicide by me."

However, his attorneys downplayed these disturbing messages as "barracks humor" and stated that their client had a "dark sense of humor."

His attorneys also presented a psychologist that stated that Perry had PTSD and added that he might also have autism.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Promises to Pardon Daniel Perry

Despite disturbing messages and eyewitness testimony that showed Perry went to the protests looking for trouble, Governor Greg Abbott has already vowed to pardon the former Army sergeant.

In a social media post, the controversial Texas governor, who is seen as possibly running for the presidency, stated that "Texas has one of the strongest 'Stand Your Ground' laws" in the US and that he was looking forward to signing a pardon for Perry as soon as a recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles arrives at his desk.

The Associated Press pointed out that the parole board is filled with Abbott appointees, though it is still not clear when they will decide on Perry's case, which has garnered outrage from conservatives despite Perry being found guilty.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Judge sentences Daniel Perry to 25 years in prison - WFAA