Texas Prosecutor Seeks Court to Overturn Gov. Greg Abbott's Pardon of BLM Protest Shooter

In a move that has sparked controversy, a Texas prosecutor announced plans to challenge Governor Greg Abbott’s pardon of Daniel S. Perry, a man convicted of fatally shooting a Black Lives Matter protester in Austin in the summer of 2020.

Gov. Abbott's pardon of Perry, who claimed self-defense in the shooting, was celebrated by conservatives for upholding the state's "stand your ground" protections. However, it was received with strong opposition from the protester's family, civil rights groups, and Travis County district attorney José Garza.

Legal Challenge

Travis County district attorney José Garza, a Democrat, revealed his intention to petition the state’s highest criminal appeals court to overturn the pardon. Garza argues that the governor's intervention violated the constitutional separation of powers doctrine.

The pardon has stirred emotions on both sides, with conservatives supporting the decision as a defense of self-defense rights, while liberal groups and the victim's family expressing outrage at what they view as interference with the judicial process.