Attorney General Eric Holder Rules Out Death Penalty for Illegal Aliens

CNSNews.com ^ | March 30, 2010 | Penny Starr

[Man50D]

Rest of Title: Charged With Murder in Washington Suburb

Attorney General Eric Holder has directed prosecutors in a federal conspiracy and murder trial not to seek the death penalty for three El Salvadoran men who are in the United States illegally.

The three are accused of robbing and shooting Claros Luna on July 29, 2009 in Alexandria, Va., just a few miles from the Justice Department, as Luna transported a prostitute from Maryland to Virginia.

The suspects, Eris Arguera, Alcides Umana and Adolfo Amaya Portillo, admitted to being members of the MS-13 gang, court documents show. They were indicted on Nov. 24 on federal racketeering and murder charges.

A Justice Department spokeswoman told CNSNews.com that the department would not comment on Holder’s decision not to seek the death penalty in the case. She directed CNSNews to an online “resource manual” stating that the attorney general’s decision-making process and final decision on whether to seek the death penalty is confidential.

But the manual also states that no information on the process can be disclosed outside the Justice Department “without prior approval of the Attorney General.”

According to court documents, in a letter dated Feb. 3, 2010, Attorney General Holder “authorized and directed” U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Neal McBride “not to seek the death penalty against Alcides Umana, Adolfo Portillo and Eris Ramon Arguera.”

McBride filed a corresponding document – Government’s Notice of Intent Not to Seek the Death Penalty – on Feb. 16.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Virginia, told CNSNews.com that Holder, as U.S. attorney general, makes death penalty decisions in federal cases. “The decision to pursue or not pursue the death penalty in a death-eligible case resides with the Attorney General, not the U.S. Attorney,” Carr said.

Court documents indicate that the death penalty at one time was being considered in the Salvadorans’ case.

Early on, a court-appointed attorney for one of the defendants was dismissed because he did not have the proper certification for a trying a death penalty case. Also, attorneys for one of the defendants entered a motion on Feb. 18 seeking to use a questionnaire that would eliminate jurors who might discriminate against Latinos. That questionnaire alluded to the death penalty.

Another motion by defense attorneys sought to keep gang affiliation from being part of the trial because of the possibility that it might bring a death sentence.

(Other questions for potential jurors included, “Do you believe people born in Central or South America deserve a lesser standard of justice or greater scrutiny because they are probably not really supposed to be here in the first place?” and “Do you believe people born in Central or South America deserve harsher punishment if they commit a crime because they are already accustomed to being uncomfortable and deprived?”)

An FBI press release issued the day after the three men were indicted by a grand jury stated that the case was under investigation by the FBI, Alexandria Police Department, Fairfax County and Arlington County Police Departments and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE spokeswoman Cori Bassett said the immigration agency filed paperwork to begin deportation proceedings in case the men are not convicted or if they are released on parole. If that happens, the Salvadorans would be remanded to ICE custody.

“We do not have any record of ICE encounters with the individuals prior to 2009,” Bassett added.

The trial is set to begin on May 10.

[unspun]

Has Eric Holder ever met a foreign terrorist or other anti-American that he didn’t like?

[Red in Blue PA]

So they are granted full Constitutional rights for the good stuff but not for the bad. Got it.

[calex59]

Once again our illustrious AG shows which side he is really on. November can’t come soon enough for me.

[lowbridge]

bump

[hershey]

I wouldn’t put it past Obama to manufacture a crisis and demonize the opposition (Tea Party/Repubs), even kill a few to set the stage for a ‘postponement’ of Nov. elections and declaration of martial law. The feds have already raided several alleged Christian militias, but they’ll need more violence as cover for martial law. Never fear, they’ll come up with something and the MSM will back them up.

[rarestia]

The nightmare of Obama continues everyday through his cronies and adherents in the public. I’m so sick of everything I see on the TV and read on the Net. Anyone alive during the 70s who can tell me if it was this bad back then?

[Scotsman will be Free]

Typical lib position. Murder babies, spare murderers.

[Gargantua]

"Attorney General Eric Holder Rules Out Death Penalty for Illegal Aliens"

Okay. How about for traitors found guilty of high treason against America, giving aid and comfort to the enemy, during wartime? Is that still punishable by hanging, Eric? Think ye well, for we have seen the face of the enemy...

;-/

[looking4trth]

I am 62 and definitely around in the 70’s. It wasn’t “openly” this bad. I’m certain there was the same plethora of corruption, etc. However, the politicians, AG’s, and people of position and power were not allowed to run amok as they seem to be now. What’s going on now is all but “expected” of our so-called leaders. Society of the 70’s wasn’t as complacent as they are now either; there’s only a handful of people now that even give a damn about what’s happening beyond their own sought after greed.

Looking4trth

[rarestia]

How did we go from the depths of Carter to the heights of Reagan and then allow the gradual declination of American power and influence from Bush 41 to Obama? All of the cocaine-addled idiots from the 80s turned into the middle-age, middle-class voting bloc who put Bamster in office. I’m sick of it. I’m 30 years old and never thought I’d be as involved in politics as I am now. I just wish the world was 180 degrees from what we’re up against now. The Feds are out of control.

[Liz]

Charged With Murder in Washington Suburb Attorney General Eric Holder has directed prosecutors in a federal conspiracy and murder trial not to seek the death penalty for three El Salvadoran men who are in the United States illegally. The three are accused of robbing and shooting Claros Luna on July 29, 2009 in Alexandria, Va., just a few miles from the Justice Department, as Luna transported a prostitute from Maryland to Virginia. The suspects, Eris Arguera, Alcides Umana and Adolfo Amaya Portillo, admitted to being members of the MS-13 gang, court documents show.

Napolitano sent them a thank you card............w/ a personal note “welcome to Amercia, here's how to get on the gravy train.“

[stephenjohnbanker]

Holder just gave America the finger.

[Voter62vb]

“...suspects, Eris Arguera, Alcides Umana and Adolfo Amaya Portillo, admitted to being members of the MS-13 gang, court documents show...”

And Holder thinks Americans are cowards.

[stephenjohnbanker]

“. Anyone alive during the 70s who can tell me if it was this bad back then?”

NEVER!

[stephenjohnbanker]

I hope the perp gets HBO.

[Liz]

People are angry..... at their economic vulnerability......... angry at the deterioration of our culture, angry that they are forced to subsidize freeloading lawbreakers from other countries so politicians get new voters.............angry at our nation’s deteriorating position in the world, at our debts and deficits, our spending and taxing, our threatened security in a world of weapons of mass destruction.

LISTEN UP TAXPAYERS Obama/Rahm/Axelrod/Jarrett, and the rest of the "progressive" crooks are purposefully antagonizing large groups in middle America, goading us into civil unrest. This would give them an excuse to declare Martial Law. Obama gave ACORN billions to form a Civilian Security Force to silence the populace, and march us to reeducation camps.

Americans need to be very vigilant: Obama and his loathsome COS staff Rahm Emanuel are very calculated in their use of power. As dissent among the populace grows, they are capable of plotting staged events to boost their advantage.

If these two arch-manipulators perceive there isn’t measurable fear in the hearts of the people, they will create that fear to solidify their power. They know people will succumb to fear and will relinquish their God-given liberties when they are fearful.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I wonder why Virginia isn’t trying them for the murder, since it happened on Virginia soil. We seem to know how to do death penalty cases.

[bcsco]

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[Guenevere]

bttt