Gov. Abbott pardons Daniel Perry for 2020 fatal protest shooting following recommendation from state pardon board

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday pardoned Daniel Perry, a former US Army sergeant who was convicted of murdering a protester at a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020 and was sentenced last year to 25 years in prison.

His decision comes after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted unanimously on Thursday to recommend a full pardon and the restoration of Perry’s firearm rights.

Abbott asked the board to conduct an investigation in April 2023, and in a statement on Thursday, the board said its “investigative efforts encompassed a meticulous review of pertinent documents, from police reports to court records, witness statements, and interviews with individuals linked to the case.”