Pardon Ramos and Compean
Some of you might have heard about 2 borders agents criminally charged after shooting & wounding a Mexican drug smuggler.
Now they have been convicted and have to have to begin serving 11 & 12 year sentences on Jan 17th.
A movement has organized to request Bush pardon them.
I've read a good bit on the subject and believe that they didn't follow all the regulations. So firing them might have been in order. Even a short sentence. But over a decade?
But there's definitely some indication these 2 were railroaded also. One thing not being contested is the drug smuggler personally knew a border patrol agent. So it's no hugh stretch to imagine they might have been working together to bring in drugs. I didn't see any hard evidence of that. But this agent did side with the smuggler against his fellow agents. Also, it's in the DOJ report that the smuggler attacked one of the agents. Now he was shot in the bottom so that would indicate he was fleeing. But if he fought them 1st, that might have been a mitigating circumstance in favor of the agents. No to excuse their actions, but maybe enough to lessen the penalty. Finally, the smuggler initially said he was shot at when entering the U.S.. Then changed his story. Considering this guy is without a doubt, a criminal, his testimony might have been less than completely honest.
Also, this smuggler is sueing the U.S., meaning all of us, for $5 million dollars. Do we really want criminals to get the message that they can sue the U.S. if we shoot at them? What's to stop the flood of drugs into the country then?
Here's the link to sign the petition:
http://www.grassfire.org/142/PETITION.asp
If you want to read more before signing, I'm also enclosing a link to the DOJ's official write up over the incident. And a link to a blog that goes into much detail about the case.
DOJ statement:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txw/press_releases/2006/Sutton%20statement%20re%20compean%20and%20ramos%20conviction.pdf
blog:
http://www.novatownhall.com/blog/2006/08/sound_off_for_ramos_and_compea.php
Now they have been convicted and have to have to begin serving 11 & 12 year sentences on Jan 17th.
A movement has organized to request Bush pardon them.
I've read a good bit on the subject and believe that they didn't follow all the regulations. So firing them might have been in order. Even a short sentence. But over a decade?
But there's definitely some indication these 2 were railroaded also. One thing not being contested is the drug smuggler personally knew a border patrol agent. So it's no hugh stretch to imagine they might have been working together to bring in drugs. I didn't see any hard evidence of that. But this agent did side with the smuggler against his fellow agents. Also, it's in the DOJ report that the smuggler attacked one of the agents. Now he was shot in the bottom so that would indicate he was fleeing. But if he fought them 1st, that might have been a mitigating circumstance in favor of the agents. No to excuse their actions, but maybe enough to lessen the penalty. Finally, the smuggler initially said he was shot at when entering the U.S.. Then changed his story. Considering this guy is without a doubt, a criminal, his testimony might have been less than completely honest.
Also, this smuggler is sueing the U.S., meaning all of us, for $5 million dollars. Do we really want criminals to get the message that they can sue the U.S. if we shoot at them? What's to stop the flood of drugs into the country then?
Here's the link to sign the petition:
http://www.grassfire.org/142/PETITION.asp
If you want to read more before signing, I'm also enclosing a link to the DOJ's official write up over the incident. And a link to a blog that goes into much detail about the case.
DOJ statement:
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/txw/press_releases/2006/Sutton%20statement%20re%20compean%20and%20ramos%20conviction.pdf
blog:
http://www.novatownhall.com/blog/2006/08/sound_off_for_ramos_and_compea.php