Payam Javan: Daniel Perry has been sentenced to 25 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering Garrett Foster, an armed protester, during a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Austin, Texas, in 2020. Perry, an Army sergeant and occasional ride-share driver, claimed self-defense, stating that Foster approached his vehicle while brandishing a firearm. However, witnesses for the prosecution testified that they did not see Foster raise his firearm, and the prosecution argued that Perry could have chosen to drive away instead of shooting Foster. Perry’s legal team requested a retrial, citing juror misconduct and the exclusion of evidence supporting their self-defense claims, but the appeal was denied.
Travis County District Judge Clifford Brown, who presided over the trial, ruled that Perry had received a fair and impartial trial, upholding the jury’s decision. Despite the defense team’s request for a sentence of ten years or less, Brown imposed a 25-year prison term. Perry’s attorneys plan to continue appealing the conviction, even though they did not achieve the desired sentence. The defense claims that crucial evidence, including photos, videos, and witness testimony demonstrating Foster’s previous attempts to intimidate motorists during protests, was omitted from the trial.
The case involved Perry’s shooting of Garrett Foster, an armed protester, during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. The prosecution argued that Perry could have avoided the situation and that he should not have used lethal force. On the other hand, Perry’s defense team asserted that he acted in self-defense after Foster approached his vehicle with a firearm. Despite their claims, Perry was found guilty of murder and received a 25-year prison sentence. His legal team attempted to secure a retrial, citing juror misconduct and the exclusion of evidence, but the appeal was denied by the presiding judge. Perry’s attorneys intend to continue appealing the conviction, highlighting the omission of evidence supporting their self-defense claims, including visuals and witness testimonies from previous incidents involving Foster’s alleged intimidation of motorists during protests.
