In a surprising move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a full pardon for former U.S. Army sergeant Daniel Perry on Thursday, overturning his murder conviction for the fatal shooting of an armed demonstrator during the nationwide protests in 2020. The pardon came shortly after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended Perry's pardon and the restoration of his firearms rights.

Perry, who had been serving a 25-year sentence since his conviction in 2023 for the killing of Garrett Foster, will now be released from state prison. The governor's decision to review Perry's case was prompted by pressure from former Fox News star Tucker Carlson, who publicly urged Abbott to intervene after Perry's conviction.

During the trial, prosecutors portrayed Perry as a racist with a history of violence, using his social media posts and text messages as evidence. However, Perry's defense attorneys argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming that Foster had raised his rifle. Witnesses provided conflicting testimonies, with some stating they had not seen Foster raise his weapon.

Abbott's pardon highlights Texas' strong "Stand Your Ground" self-defense laws, which cannot be invalidated by a jury or a progressive district attorney. The governor, who appoints the Board of Pardons and Paroles, relied on their unanimous recommendation to issue the pardon, as required by Texas law.

The fatal shooting took place amidst the wave of protests that erupted across the nation following the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer. Perry's subsequent conviction sparked outrage among prominent conservatives. Carlson, in particular, criticized Abbott for not appearing on his show to discuss the case, leading the governor to expedite the review of Perry's conviction.

Prior to Perry's sentencing, text messages and social media posts were unsealed by the court, revealing his controversial views towards the Black Lives Matter movement. Although Perry did not testify during the trial, a forensic psychologist cited his history of bullying and deployment to Afghanistan as contributing factors to his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Perry served in the Army for over a decade and was stationed at Fort Cavazos, later known as Fort Hood, when the shooting occurred. The pardon from Governor Abbott marks a significant development in a case that has triggered intense debates around police violence, racial injustice, and the boundaries of self-defense.

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