Gov. Greg Abbott pardons ex-U.S. sergeant who killed BLM protester

• Following Perry's conviction, Abbott announced that he has asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles determine if Perry should be granted a pardon.

State of play: Abbott issued a proclamation Thursday pardoning Perry after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a unanimous recommendation of full pardon.

• "Among the voluminous files reviewed by the Board, they considered information provided by the Travis County District Attorney, the full investigative report on Daniel Perry, plus a review of all the testimony provided at trial," Abbott said in a statement.
• "Texas has one of the strongest 'Stand Your Ground' laws of self-defense that cannot be nullified by a jury or a progressive District Attorney," Abbott said.
• He thanked the board for its "thorough investigation."

Between the lines: Perry's case had gained significant attention from influential conservative voices like Tucker Carlson.

• "Americans across the country have been watching this case in Texas and praying for justice after BLM riots terrorized the nation in 2020. Our right to self-defense is enshrined in the Constitution," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote on X Thursday.

Flashback: Perry had driven into a crowd of demonstrators in downtown Austin protesting police violence. He later shot and killed Foster, who was legally armed with an AK-47 rifle.

• While Perry argued during trial he acted in self-defense, the prosecution argued that Perry had instigated the incident.

Go deeper: Daniel Perry sentenced to 25 years for BLM protest murder