Abbott’s fast-track pardon ‘unusual’

Associated Press

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is moving fast to pardon a U.S. Army sergeant convicted in the 2020 killing of an armed protester. So fast, the judge hasn’t even handed down a sentence.

Sgt. Daniel Perry faces up to life in prison afer being convicted of murder last week in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Garrett Foster, who had been legally carrying an AK-47 during a protest through Austin’s downtown while marching with demonstrators over police accountability and racial injustice. The case will next go to sentencing.

But Abbott has since made it clear he believes Perry shouldn’t be punished. Te three-term Republican governor, who hasn’t ruled out a 2024 presidential run, tweeted that he has already asked Texas’ parole board to expedite a review of Perry’s conviction and will “look forward” to signing a pardon.

Te rush to act in the case of an of-duty soldier shooting a protester came amid immediate outrage among conservatives over the verdict, including by Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Abbott presented the dangled pardon as a defense of Texan’s right to defend themselves. Legal experts, however, said that looks like a pretense.

“It’s pretty unusual for a governor to step in and preempt a jury verdict,” said Mark Osler, a professor at the University of St. Tomas School of Law. “Te politics are right there at the surface.”

Perry was working for a ride-sharing company in July 2020 when he turned onto a street and into one of the demonstrations that swept the country afer Minneapolis police killed George Floyd.

In video streamed live on Facebook, a car can be heard honking amid the crowd in downtown Austin. Ten, several shots ring out, and protesters begin screaming and scattering. Perry drove of, later calling police to report the shooting, and ofcers arrived to fnd Foster shot. Witnesses testifed that Foster never raised his rife at Perry, and prosecutors said the sergeant could have driven of rather than opening fre with a handgun. Perry didn’t testify. But his defense attorneys have said Foster pointed his gun at the driver and that the shooting was self-defense. Travis County District Attorney José Garza, whose ofce prosecuted the case, called Abbott’s intervention “deeply troubling.” He said the jurors deliberated for more than 15 hours to fnd Perry “guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt,” and the case can be reviewed through the normal appeals process.

VOLUME 92, NUMBER 22 - APRIL 13, 2023

Publisher | CEO Sonceria Messiah-Jiles

Strategic Alllance Clyde Jiles

Digital Content Manager Get Current Studios

Managing Editor ReShonda Tate

Associate Editor Aswad Walker

The

Education Reporter Laura Onyeneho Sports Terrance Harris Jodie B. Jiles

Photographer Jimmie Aggison

Social Media Manager Tia Alphonse Jordan Hockett

Water rates in Houston to increase by 15 percent

Te city’s water infrastructure issues has been ignored for years as the city undercharged for water, according to city ofcials. As a result, necessary replacement and repairs have continued to add up. Tat’s why Houston Public Works announced that water rates would increase by 15%. In part, the increase accounts for infation, which has almost doubled since last year’s water rates were determined. However, ofcials say the increase is largely because rates have been too low over the past few years to make necessary improvements. Te department announced a 9.2% increase, comprising an infationary index of 8.2% and a 1% increase in correspondence with a 1% population increase. Tis is in addition to an increase of around 6% to address water infrastructure problems in the city. Te increase, which goes into efect this month, will go toward measures like replacing old pipes, putting in new wells, and improving water and wastewater treatment plants.

Need $17.5K to buy a home?

Check this out

Many prospective homebuyers can aford monthly mortgage payments, but the upfront costs may make homeownership seem out of reach. In fact, more than two-thirds of renters surveyed by the Urban Institute indicated that afording the down payment was a barrier to becoming a homeowner. While Bank of America already ofers closing cost grants locally, the bank is now bringing its Down Payment Grant to Houston as of March 2023. When the two grant programs are used together, eligible Houston homebuyers may have access to up to $17,500 in grants to put toward down payment and closing costs, which do not need to be repaid. Tis grant program is part of the Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment®, which is designed to help lowto moderate-income homebuyers begin to build their personal wealth and family legacy through homeownership. In celebration of Houston Money Week (April 15-22), Bank of America,