District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry returned to his city council seat on Thursday, and he expressed appreciation and asked for forgiveness.
He walked into the council chambers before proceedings began and chatted with onlookers.
This followed a leave of absence for an alleged hit-and-run incident in November and a driving while intoxicated charge.
When the council meeting began, Perry read a statement thanking the council for enabling him to take time off after the incident. He also expressed relief that "the other people involved weren't physically harmed."
He thanked Michael Gallagher, who had been appointed to fill Perry's seat while he was away.
Perry also said that he was following "all the appropriate measures as recommended by medical experts."
In his first comments back from a leave of absence after receiving a DWI charge for an alleged Nov. 6 hit-and-run, D10 Councilman Clayton Perry says it’s been a tough couple of months and he is thankful to god.
— Joey Palacios - Texas Public Radio (@Joeycules) January 12, 2023
Here’s video from his statement. Full text is below. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/wh4gCtIV65
He added: "I am 100% devoted to ensuring this never happens again and to regaining your confidence."
Police body camera video showed the North Side conservative councilman on the ground in his backyard, disheveled and disoriented.
His black Jeep was in front of his home with the motor running and the driver's side door open. The San Antonio Police Department was criticized in the wake of the incident for not arresting Perry.
Councilman @district10perry avoids the press after his first council meeting back from a leave of absence. He doesn’t answer a question if he will run in the upcoming city council election.
— Joey Palacios - Texas Public Radio (@Joeycules) January 12, 2023
Perry is facing a DWI charge and failure to exchange information charge. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/slBwyCVDJC
He has been arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. Media coverage has revealed he was served 14 drinks within four hours.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement on Wednesday that he spoke to Perry, and his stance remains that if the allegations are true, Perry should resign. But the city council can’t force a removal without a conviction.
After the council meeting, TPR asked Perry if he planned to run for re-election. He declined to answer. He also declined to answer questions from the press about his capacity to govern while facing criminal charges and about why he decided to return to his seat.
