San Antonio City Council member Clayton Perry says he will not resign after his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run.
Jerry Lara, Staff / San Antonio Express-News
MySA
Steven Santana
"I am genuinely very, very sorry, not only to the occupants of the other vehicle, but to my district neighbors, my staff, the city staff, my family and friends, and the community as a whole," Perry said at the news conference. "I've come to the conclusion that while waiting for the investigation to conclude, I'm requesting a sabbatical from my duties as [District 10] councilman."
Perry was arrested on Thursday, November 10, and charged with "failure to render aid," a class B misdemeanor, after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Later that evening, San Antonio police released body cam footage of an officer finding Perry laying in his backyard after the alleged hit-and-run and announced he would also be charged with "Driving While Intoxicated."
In the video, Perry is heard giving incoherent, slurred responses to the officer questioning him about the accident and his whereabouts earlier in the evening. It also appears that the councilman soiled himself and has a laceration to his head. The officer eventually left Perry without giving Perry a sobriety test.
On Tuesday, November 8, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said Perry should resign if initial reports of the incident were true. The City Council is expected to issue a vote of no confidence and call for Perry's resignation on Monday, November 14, at 1:30 p.m. during a special meeting.
"Although I do not intend to resign my seat, I'm asking for some time for me to heal, for due process to play out," Perry says. "And for a little humanity and compassion. I'm a human and I made a bad decision."
During Monday's news conference, the District 10 councilman asked his fellow councilmembers to stay their hands and not agree to a planned vote of no confidence.
Perry said that members of his district had voiced their support of him.
"At the end of the day, it's my belief that people in District 10 who elected me should be the ones who decide who sits in this office," Perry said. "Thank you to everyone who's reached out with time words of encouragement. It's not gone on deaf ears."
District 9 Councilman John Courage tweeted a message echoing Perry's statement of District 10 supporters reaching out, also asking people to participate in a survey on the matter.
We have received numerous messages from the residents in D10 recommending I vote NO on any action by the Council on a Censure or Request for Resignation regarding Councilman Perry for his actions.
— CM John Courage - D9 (@JohnCourageD9) November 14, 2022
I would appreciate your input on this matter. https://t.co/OvECA4sJt0
"I hope to regain the respect and trust that each of you has given me over the past six years. I'm sorry," Perry said.