Government admits lying about jailed border agents (DHS fesses up - Rep. Poe ticked!)

World Net Daily ^ | February 6, 2007 | Jerome R. Corsi

[calcowgirl]

Inspector confronted on Capitol Hill, says promised 'proof' does not exist

A Department of Homeland Security official admitted today the agency misled Congress when it contended it possessed investigative reports proving Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean confessed guilt and declared they "wanted to shoot some Mexicans" prior to the incident that led to their imprisonment.

The admission came during the testimony of DHS Inspector General Richard L. Skinner before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, according to Michael Green, press secretary for Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas.

Culberson was questioning Skinner about a meeting DHS officials had Sept. 26 with him and three other Republican congressman from Texas, Reps. Ted Poe, Michael McCaul and Kenny Marchant.

WND previously reported that at that meeting the DHS Inspector General's office asserted it had documentary evidence Ramos and Compean:

1. confessed to knowingly shooting at an unarmed suspect;

2. stated during the interrogation they did not believe the suspect was a threat to them at the time of the shooting;

3. stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican";

4. were belligerent to investigators;

5. destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.

Under questioning by Culberson, Skinner admitted DHS did not in fact have investigative reports to back up the claims: "The person who told you that misinformed you," Skinner reportedly replied.

This prompted a startled and angry response from the congressman.

"You lied to me and you lied to all of us," Culberson charged. "Your office tried to paint a picture of Ramos and Compean as dirty cops, and now you come before this committee and tell us you never had the information to back up those claims."

Ramos and Compean began prison sentences last month after their actions in the shooting of a drug smuggler who was granted immunity to testify against them.

Responding to Skinner's testimony yesterday, Poe said it "explains why DHS has been stonewalling Congress."

"DHS didn't turn over the reports to us to back up their September 26 accusations for one simple reason – the reports never existed," the Texas congressman said.

"Why did it take DHS four months to admit their error?" he asked. "I wonder how much more has DHS told the public and Congress about Ramos and Compean that simply isn't true?"

Poe said he's determined to get to the bottom of DHS's claim.

"I expect this new revelation will lead to a lot more questions before we're done," he said.

Andy Ramirez, who has been involved with the case as chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, told WND the DHS's actions "represent obstruction of justice, and they should be held in contempt of Congress, and, if possible, prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

"This admission today is yet more proof of how they are willing to distort the facts, as I have charged all along, in order to ensure a conviction," he said.

[Chena]

Oh yes, I could easily believe that they are both regretting not only their actions at the time of this incident, but also their decision to not take the plea deal.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I know in California most patients are transported from prison to see an MD, they don't have them inside the prisons waiting for patients. They do have nurses, which makes this story make sense based on what I know from out this way.

[Issaquahking]

see #240

[rednesss]

"Interesting, because his female attorney said he was sleeping. Guess his attorney's not being able to see and talk to him in person so far is telling here."

Not interesting at all. He's a prisoner in custody, do you think he gets to see whoever he wants whenever he wants???? They probably have a visiting schedule that they know about and have to abide by.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Thanks, I'll make a point of listening to Rush in the morning.

[khnyny]

bump.

[pandoraou812]

I was wondering that too....Maybe Rednesss doesn't think its all that bad to be assaulted in your sleep. I wonder if he was assaulted in his bed if he would just pass it off as minor bruises, bumps and scrapes? I highly doubt it..... The fact that this border agent is attacked when his cell should have been locked makes it look very bad for the prison and warden. My prayers go out to these to men and their families. I hope somebody does the correct thing and gets these men into protective custody or gets them out on appeal while this mess is figured out. Its a d@mn shame they are being treated like this...

[Chena]

Someone knowledgeable has already posted that there are alternatives other than general population and solitary confinement, so you'll have to think up another lame excuse for pretending to be "open-minded" in the midst of a crisis and a continuing meltdown of the government's credibility.

I'll have to go search for that post you're referring to since you haven't provided it. The rest of your comment to me does not deserve a response.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I think that is the 64,000 question in this case. Someday we will know when someone is able to finally lay hands on all the records and interview all parties and write a book. Until then ....

I'll say his attorney did not impress me with her verbal skills.

[William Terrell]

But what does the DHS not having investigation notes it promised to congress have to do with a jury finding two guys guilty?

If any one of the allegations were used in the indictment or trial of the agents, they need a new trial. I'd think that would have some effect on the guilty verdict.

1. confessed to knowingly shooting at an unarmed suspect;

2. stated during the interrogation they did not believe the suspect was a threat to them at the time of the shooting;

3. stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican";

4. were belligerent to investigators;

5. destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.

I note that DHS has not yet said the claims were false, just that they cannot turn over investigation paperwork proving the claims were true.

I believe the DHS said it didn't exist, so you're right, they "could not" turn it over. Kind of begs the question, how did those allegations get into the stream of evidence that indicted and convicted the two agents?

Kind of hard to argue good intentions, here. Kind of hard to argue for a fair trial, too.

[Arizona Carolyn]

You may want to read post #240

[hellbender]

All I can say to you is this: I hope someday you find yourself falsely accused, with a poor-quality defense lawyer, and see how you like the choice of taking the prosecutor's offer of a guilty plea vs. gambling on a trial. That would extinguish the perpetual smirk in your tone, big time.

[Pelham]

He was sleeping, but he was in a large dormitory rather than a cell. The attackers had apparently watched America's Most Wanted and recognized him from the piece AMW ran. When they attacked him they were shouting a slang phrase in Spanish that means "kill the border patrolman".

[Liberty Wins]

This case has a LOT more to it than meets the eye . . .

Good thinking. Remember the universal axiom . . . follow the money. Somebody has a hidden agenda here.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I don't know, I finally got bored with his stupid comments... there is no discussion with some people.

[rednesss]

Well if it's posted at WND it must be true then. Hey dummy go sit and spin man.

So I'm supposed to believe that while apparently getting the beating of his life, he was able to get shoe information from them???? In the dark, lights out??? Wow you people will believe anything, I've never seen so many gullible people blindly regurgitating what they heard from their barber's cousin's next door neighbor's sister's dog manicurist. I've got a bridge for sale, let's start the bidding......

[khnyny]

Perhaps there are "legal funds" that are or can be set up for better legal representation for these men. Or perhaps someone like a John Edwards or a Peter Angelos, etc., would care to donate their services for the public good...lol.

[arthurus]

That men with the names Ramos and Compean would say they were looking to shoot some Mexicans should have raised some eyebrows.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Interesting that his own attorney didn't know he was in a dormitory situation. BOR asked about that several times. I find that even stranger, why would they do that?

[rednesss]

I'm pretty sure that they have a contracted health care provider likely Wexford Health Sources, Inc since the state of Mississippi uses them. It's been outsourced.