A mistrial was declared Monday during jury selection in the deadly conduct case against Daniel Perry, delaying proceedings before testimony could begin.
According to court sources, the mistrial was called after attorneys were unable to seat a jury, with a large number of potential jurors dismissed due to prior knowledge of the case.
Reports indicate nearly 30 of the 50 potential jurors were excused, raising concerns about whether an impartial jury could be formed.
Legal analysts say extensive media coverage surrounding Perry and his previous murder case likely contributed to the difficulty in finding unbiased jurors.
The deadly conduct charge is separate from the 2020 shooting death of Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin.
Perry was convicted of murder in that case in 2023 but was later granted a full pardon by Governor Greg Abbott.
The current case involves allegations of misdemeanor conduct related to Perry’s actions at the time of the incident, including claims that his driving put others in danger.
A new trial date has been set for October 19, according to court sources.
The Travis County Attorney’s Office has not commented on the case, citing a request from the judge that both sides refrain from speaking publicly while proceedings are ongoing.
