Posted on 04/03/2008 8:26:33 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Federal immigration agent Cory Voorhis sat at the defense table in federal court Tuesday, but opening statements by his lawyer indicated that the legal team would try to put the actions of Gov. Bill Ritter and the city of Denver on trial.
Bill Taylor, attorney for the special agent, said his client was "shocked, angered, and yes, bewildered" when he read statements by Ritter, then a candidate for governor, in an August 2006 newspaper article saying that when he was Denver district attorney, his office had always been tough on illegal immigration.
Voorhis' experience as an immigration agent, and as someone who worked at the Denver County Jail for three years, was that illegal immigrants were regularly pleaded out by Ritter's office from the crimes they actually committed — which could lead to deportation — to a fictional charge of agricultural trespass — a non-deportable offense. (Records show Denver defendants, including illegal immigrants and U.S. citizens, were given this plea 152 times from 1998 through 2004).
"Defense attorneys asked the jail to put immigration holds on their clients because they would get better deals," Taylor told the jury, and an alternate, made up of nine men and four women. "U.S. citizens claimed to be illegal immigrants to get a better deal."
So Voorhis, Taylor said, picked up the phone and called the congressional office of Bob Beauprez, who was running against Ritter for governor.
(Excerpt) Read more at denverpost.com ...
I never liked Ritter, but I have zero respect for him now. He's a despicable man. Calling him "corrupt" is the best you could say about him. And Beauprez, who ought to be better, hasn't lent a hand to help the railroaded Voorhis.
I'm still amazed that Ritter could even become governor in a state like Colorado -- and that we now have Democratics running the state. I can only think that the years of population movement from California to Colorado and the growth of Denver (which along with Boulder is really the only liberal part of the state) are the reasons.
Then there's that lefty con man, Senator Ken Salazaar of Colorado. I know he's off the point, but I never miss a chance to trash him.
If he did indeed access the NCIC database for non law enforcement needs, and that constitutes a crime, why shouldn’t he be convicted???? The NCIC system is not a play toy for politics.
If he did indeed access the NCIC database for non law enforcement needs, and that constitutes a crime, why shouldn’t he be convicted????
Remember you're reading a liberal Denver paper. They've left so much out of this story that it's a downright distortion. If you want to read up on Voorhis, go to corylegaldefense.com. The links to Peter Boyles' (a Colo. talk show host) radio show are very helpful too.
In short, the usual punishment for the "crime" Voorhis committed? You can't use the computer for a week. But Ritter wants to destroy Voorhis -- it's a political vendetta. In the meantime, Voorhis hasn't been allowed to work for months and he might lose his home as a result. There is SO much political filth behind this story, you wouldn't believe.
Nor is letting heroin dealers back on street.
He didn't.
You know what they call law enforcement officers who commit misdemeanors??? Ex-law enforcement officers, as it should be, every time, regardless of the immigration debate.
So what you're saying is, is that the act of accessing the NCIC database illegally is a misdemeanor, but that everyone is usually given preferential treatment due to the source of their paychecks. Gee do they let off Joe Six Pack with a punishment of not driving their car for a week in lieu of filing DUI charges, also a misdemeanor???? Somehow I doubt it.
And I shouldn't also take what is said on a legal defense site ran by the defendant with a grain of salt as well??? We all know that defense Attorney's and defendants never spin to their own benefit???
Do you drive to work or do you pack your own lunch????
Yes. And the prosecution witness yesterday spilled the beans that there is no record. He accessed a different database and then told Beauprez to confirm it. And the Judge knows it now too. But, the prosecution must rest before the Judge can throw it out now. This is pure pay back political prosecution. So Voorhis prevails in court, but he is stuck with over $250K in legal bills. Because he crossed Dem hacks and thugs posing as Denvers DAs office staff.
You got it. And people who have been following this case know that. The phony "death threats" claim alone is sickening. Personally, I think the judge is letting this play out and then he's going to let Ritter and the prosecution have it. Of course, that won't make up for what they've done to Voorhis, financially and otherwise.
If he didn't do it, fine, clear his name. If he did do it, hold him accountable.
Are you okay with letting Ritter change the charges? That is the question here not how wrong the whistle blower is. I doubt if he is worried about the penalty. He has paid enough for whatever he did by the actions of Ritter. If you want more punishment then I think you have something wrong with you.
If he didn't do it, fine, clear his name.
Sounds really good and self righteous. So if his name is cleared, are you gonna pay his $250K + lawyer bills so he can have his life back? Smug comments on the Internet ignore the real price this guy is paying for working for you to try and do his job.
You might like to know that Voorhis spent several years making a case against a Mexican crime family who made millins providing high quality false documents to illegals. Too bad he can't testify now because of this political witch hunt, so that guy is gonna walk.
So if the legal system sucks, overhaul it for EVERY ONE, not just the occasional media darling. If I got Nifong'd I'd doubt anybody would be lining up to pay my legal expenses either.
Well, that is the point. This isn't a "legal system" problem, this is Dem politics. As another poster pointed out, this would have been a personnel issue at best. But Voorhis crossed the Denver Dem political machine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.