After years of legal battles stemming from a 2020 incident, a Travis County jury acquits Sgt. Perry of the remaining deadly conduct charge.
[10/22/2026- AUSTIN, TX] – National Center for Police Defense, Inc. (NCPD) joins Sgt. Perry, his family, defense team, and supporters of law enforcement across the nation in celebrating a Travis County jury’s decision to acquit Sgt. Perry of all charges. The verdict marks a significant victory for Sgt. Perry, who has endured years of legal proceedings following an encounter with demonstrators while driving for Uber in downtown Austin. After a four-day trial and just over two hours of jury deliberations, the six-member jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
“Today, justice prevailed for Sergeant Daniel Perry,” said Bert Eyler, Vice President of the National Center for Police Defense. “After years of uphill legal battles, unfair public scrutiny, and tremendous hardship for Daniel and his family, a jury has finally rejected this remaining criminal charge. Daniel has been through an ordeal that no one should have to endure, and we are grateful that he can now begin putting this chapter behind him.”
The case originated in July 2020, when Sgt. Perry, who was working as an Uber driver, encountered a crowd of protesters in downtown Austin. During the confrontation, Perry fatally shot Garrett Foster – an armed demonstrator- in self-defense. Perry was previously convicted of murder in connection with the shooting but was later granted a full pardon by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Despite that pardon, prosecutors continued pursuing a separate misdemeanor deadly conduct charge related to Perry’s driving during the incident.
During the latest trial, prosecutors argued that Perry had endangered demonstrators with his vehicle. Perry’s defense team disputed those allegations, maintaining that his conduct did not meet the legal standard for a criminal conviction. The jury ultimately agreed that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
“For years, Daniel Perry and his family have carried the enormous emotional and financial burden of defending him against criminal charges,” Eyler continued. “National Center for Police Defense has been proud to stand alongside Daniel throughout this fight. Today’s verdict reinforces why our mission is so important: those who have dedicated their lives to serving our country deserve support, due process, and the opportunity to defend themselves in a court of law.”
The National Center for Police Defense has supported Sgt. Perry throughout his legal challenges, helping raise awareness of his case and advocating for his right to a fair trial. NCPD extends its congratulations to Sgt. Perry, his family, and his legal defense team, including attorney Doug O’Connell, for their perseverance throughout this lengthy legal battle.
About the National Center for Police Defense, Inc.
The National Center for Police Defense (NCPD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal assistance, financial support, and advocacy for law enforcement officers who are unjustly prosecuted or financially burdened due to actions taken in the line of duty. Since its founding, NCPD has helped many officers and their families navigate challenging legal landscapes, ensuring they receive the defense and dignity they deserve.
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