Travis County Jury Acquits Daniel Perry in Trial
A jury found Daniel Perry not guilty of a misdemeanor deadly conduct charge following a four-day trial.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Criminal Justice
A jury in Travis County acquitted Daniel Perry of a misdemeanor deadly conduct charge. The trial focused on an incident involving Perry driving into a crowd of demonstrators in Austin.
Why it matters
Prosecutors alleged Perry acted with the intent to harm protesters, pointing to his shared text messages and memes as evidence. Defense attorneys successfully argued the driving incident did not meet the legal standard for deadly conduct.
A jury of six people rendered the not guilty verdict after deliberating for over two hours. The misdemeanor deadly conduct charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison.
The players
Daniel Perry
He is the defendant who was acquitted of a misdemeanor deadly conduct charge in Travis County.
Garrett Foster
He was the individual fatally shot by Daniel Perry during a demonstration in 2020.
Travis County
This is the jurisdiction that hosted the trial and oversaw the legal proceedings against the defendant.
The details
Prosecutors argued in court that Perry drove his vehicle into a crowd of demonstrators on Congress Avenue. During the four-day trial, attorneys were prohibited from mentioning Perry's previous murder conviction related to the 2020 fatal shooting of Garrett Foster.
Timeline
July 2020: Daniel Perry fatally shot Garrett Foster.
October 2026: The jury trial concluded and a verdict was rendered.
Legal Context
The verdict marks a new legal chapter relative to the 2020 shooting of Garrett Foster. The outcome reflects the complex adjudication of protest-related incidents within the Travis County justice system.
The acquittal concludes a high-profile legal matter that has drawn significant attention to protest safety in Austin. Residents may see continued discussion regarding local standards for vehicle-related conduct during public demonstrations.
The takeaway
The jury's decision highlights the specific legal thresholds required to prove criminal intent during complex public demonstrations. Observers and residents should note that this specific charge relied on narrow definitions of deadly conduct, separate from other past legal outcomes.
Further reading
For more on local judicial developments, see the latest in Criminal Justice.
