Posted on 12/07/2007 12:42:50 PM PST by kellynla
President Bush should immediately commute the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents convicted in the shooting of a drug-smuggling suspect, says the chairman of a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee.
Rep. Bill Delahunt, Massachusetts Democrat who heads the subcommittee on international organizations, human rights and oversight, said in a resolution yesterday the 11- and 12-year sentences for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, respectively, were "profoundly disproportionate" based on federal sentencing guidelines.
Ramos, 37, and Compean, 28, were sentenced in October 2006 for shooting Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks in February 2005 when he was running from a van with 743 pounds of marijuana near Fabens, Texas.
Mr. Delahunt called the sentences "a miscarriage of justice," saying serious questions have been raised about the manner in which U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton in El Paso prosecuted the case.
He said the agents' supervisor, Border Patrol Sector Chief Luis Barker, described the sentences during Senate testimony as "disproportionate," and that Mr. Sutton has said, "Some say it's just too much time, and I have some sympathy for that."
"President Bush can correct a gross miscarriage of justice with the stroke of a pen," he said. "And this resolution will put Congress on record demanding that he do just that."
Mr. Delahunt said that between February 2005 and June 2007, there have been 1,982 incidents in which Border Patrol agents have been assaulted. He said the numbers would "support the premise that Border Patrol agents operate in a climate of tension, danger and even fear for the safety of themselves and others."
Ramos and Compean testified they thought Aldrete-Davila had a weapon.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
If Bush can commute Scooter Libby; he sure as hell can & should commute Ramos & Compean!
ping
I cannot believe that I am in agreement with something Billy Delahunt has said.
“Well Dellahunt like any broken clock is right at least twice a day!
If Bush can commute Scooter Libby; he sure as hell can & should commute Ramos & Compean!”
bump to that!
Agreed Ramos and Campean should have their sentences commuted, but wondering if this is some sort of a setup. It is a Democrat sponsoring this action, therefore the RAT sniffer detection device on my belt, right next to my ACME Catalogue Bullshit Detector is sounding off.
Have to think about this one awhile as I can see some Democrat(s) conjuring up some negative media hype similar to the brouhaha of Clinton’s pardons with which to smear Bush.
The Dems have perpetuated lies consistantly over the past seven years about a multitude of reasons to impeach Bush and Cheney, thus my anxiety over this, and I wouldn’t put it past the arrogant b-stards to use Ramos and Campean for a devious Political purpose.
These two should be released with a full pardon also.
Twice a day?!
You give him way too much credit...but he’s right on this one.
Sounds like illegal immigration my be a problem in Delahunt’s district.
I’m willing (maybe) to give Bush the benefit of the doubt on this one , especially as he seems to have (misplaced) faith in Sutton’s ethics ... it is late in the game and I don’t think this will be used against Bush in a major way if he acts NOW.... however I think Bush will let pride and loyalty to Sutton interfere with his judgement and get him in trouble...
True.
I don’t know why he hasn’t.
I haven’t heard a convincing reason why he hasn’t yet.
Think about it — if Rep. Delahunt is even remotely successful, he’s in like Flynn in ‘08. And more power to him in the People’s Republic!
I hope I'm wrong and lose the bet.
me neither! But I sure agree with him!!
Arbusto has to check with his amigo Calderon before he can do anything.
I hope I'm wrong and lose the bet.
I think I've hit on the solution to this problem!
We have been calling and writing to Bush and the Congress to address this injustice, while Bush dances to the tune called by Mexico.
The only way to free Ramos and Compean is to convince Mexico to tell Bush to pardon Ramos and Compean.
Yep something is up. Based on the appearance before the Court of Appeals the government’s case is looking like a Nifong and some of the prosecutors could be in real trouble.
I would think long and hard if was these guys to even accept a sentence commutation at this point because it looks like they will definitely be getting a new trial. I would demand a full pardon.
When one is in a position to correct with ease a clear injustice and does not act, he is an infidel.
Delahunt was my congresscritter when I lived on the Cape. I met him once in Chatham, and for a ‘Rat, he seemed like a decent enough guy. Then when he hopped in bed with Hugo Chavez, he showed his true colors.
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