In a shocking turn of events, the mother of a man killed during a Black Lives Matter protest expressed her distress when Texas Governor Greg Abbott pardoned the Army sergeant convicted of murdering her son. Sheila Foster, the grieving mother, stated that she felt robbed of the "long overdue peace" that she thought justice would bring.

The pardon was granted to Daniel Perry, an Army sergeant serving a 25-year sentence for the murder of 28-year-old Air Force veteran Garrett Foster. Governor Abbott made the decision after requesting the Board of Pardons and Paroles to review Perry's case. On Thursday, the board unanimously recommended Perry's pardon, which Abbott promptly signed. Consequently, Perry was released from prison shortly thereafter.

Sheila Foster voiced her disappointment, emphasizing that the pardon had shattered her sense of closure. "We finally got a trial and we finally got justice, we finally got long overdue peace, and then the governor ripped it right from under us," she lamented. Foster has endured immense suffering over the past four years, having lost 40 pounds since her son's death and battling cervical cancer intensified by the constant stress regarding the potential release of her son's killer.

Garrett Foster was among the protesters marching against racial injustice and police brutality in downtown Austin on July 25, 2020, following the death of George Floyd. As Foster, who was legally carrying a semiautomatic rifle, approached Perry's vehicle, Perry fatally shot him with a handgun. Perry later claimed self-defense, stating that Foster had aimed the rifle at him.

Sheila Foster revealed that her son had participated in the march not only to honor George Floyd but also to safeguard fellow protesters. She expressed her frustration, describing her life as a never-ending nightmare and grieving process that she cannot escape. "I feel like I'm living in a nightmare that I can't wake up from, and I haven't been able to grieve for my child like a normal person," she shared.

Efforts to obtain comments from Governor Abbott and representatives of Black Lives Matter were unsuccessful. Travis County District Attorney José Garza disagreed with the decisions made by Perry and the Board of Pardons and Parole, asserting that these actions went against the law and highlighted a disparity in how some lives are valued more than others.

Sheila Foster insisted that Governor Abbott be removed from office and vowed to dedicate her life to that cause. Labeling the situation as corrupt, she claimed that it all seemed like a political circus. She reminisced about her son, missing him dearly and finding solace in cherished memories, such as when he brought home baby ducks from a creek. In an attempt to cope with her loss, Foster even acquired a bird for emotional support.

The controversial decision to grant a pardon to Daniel Perry has left Sheila Foster and her family devastated, reigniting the pain they felt at the loss of their loved one. With emotions running high, questions are being raised about the true priorities of the justice system and the value placed on black lives.