What transpires is worth watching because of what it reveals about Texas and America writ large
A jury disagreed with Mr Perry’s self-defence claim, convicting him of murder on April 7th. The next day Texas’s governor, Greg Abbott, announced his desire to pardon Mr Perry. The move is highly unusual. Mr Perry has not been sentenced and is awaiting a recommendation for a pardon from the state’s Board of Pardon and Paroles, whose members Mr Abbott appointed. Both Mr Perry and Foster are white. Foster was an Air Force veteran; Mr Perry was an active-duty soldier.
Mr Abbott does not want to seem insufficiently conservative to the Republican base or legislators in Texas, as he pushes his legislative priorities at the Capitol in Austin, says Mark Jones, a professor at Rice University.
The evidence, let alone the jury’s unanimous verdict convicting Mr Perry of murder, make this a bizarre case for the right to uphold as a clear instance of “self-defence” anyway. Mr Perry sent a message to a friend saying that he might “have to kill some protesters on his way to work”, and when his friend suggested he should use ammunition wisely, so as not to run out, he replied that he would “only shoot the ones in the front and push the pedal to the metal”.
Mr Perry would have lacked potential grounds for a defence, and pundits a platform for outrage, were it not for Texas’s “stand your ground” law. Under common law, people have the duty to retreat if possible when threatened, and force is meant to be proportionate to the threat. But since the mid-2000s, starting in Florida, states have been passing laws that give people the right to use deadly force if they feel threatened, even outside their home.
This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline"Of arms and harms"
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Ofsted promises changes after headteacher Ruth Perry's deathThe watchdog says it will 'continue to listen', but Ruth Perry's sister urges pause in inspections.
Weiterlesen »
Ofsted to keep 'one-word assessments' despite backlash following death of headteacher Ruth PerryOfsted's chief inspector has refused to drop 'one-word assessments' despite calls from teachers across the country for the ratings to be abolished.
Weiterlesen »
Ofsted rolls out school inspections changes following outcry over Ruth Perry's deathOfsted will roll out changes to school inspections following outcry over the death of headteacher Ruth Perry But its chief executive rebuffed calls to scrap the one-word grading system, which has been slammed by school leaders 🔴 poppyeh reports
Weiterlesen »
Halt Ofsted inspections after Ruth Perry's death, says sisterHead teacher Ruth Perry's family make a fresh call for a pause, as the watchdog unveils some changes.
Weiterlesen »
Daniel Levy 'feels sick' about Arsenal but lauds 'fantastic times' in 15 trophyless years at TottenhamDaniel Levy bigged up the progress at Spurs in his time with the club and insists winning trophies is 'easier said than done'.
Weiterlesen »