Bush open to idea of pardon for former U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot Mexican drug dealer

AP ^ | Jan 18, 2007

[jdm]

WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush left open the possibility of a pardon for two U.S. Border Patrol agents serving federal prison sentences for shooting a Mexican drug dealer as he fled and covering up the crime.

Bush said "there's a process for pardons" and the case has to work its way through the system. In an interview with KFOX-TV in El Paso, Texas, Bush said the White House will review the case, and he urged people to "take a sober look at the case."

"People need to take a tough look at the facts, the evidence a jury looked at, as well as the judge. And I will do the same thing," he said.

Several lawmakers have urged the president to pardon former Border Patrol agents Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos for the shooting of Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, who retreated to Mexico after he was shot and later admitted he was transporting marijuana while in the U.S. illegally.

The agents began serving their sentences Wednesday — 11 years and one day for Ramos and 12 years for Compean. Both were fired after their convictions on several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice, and a civil rights violation.

Rancor over the convictions and sentencing of the agents has been simmering for months, and the two have become a cause celebre among conservatives and on talk shows. Their supporters have said they were defending themselves and have called them heroes. The agents' prosecution occurred as the issue of illegal immigration was being debated in Congress and amid campaigns for last November's midterm elections.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, introduced a bill Thursday calling for a congressional pardon of the agents. Congress has never issued pardons to anyone convicted of a crime.

[stainlessbanner]

another ping

[Star Traveler]

You said -- A pardon is granted to someone guilty of wrongdoing. The border agents did nothing wrong. They should be apoligized to and let go, they don't need a "pardon".

Well, while the President *can* pardon, he can't undo a conviction. A court can do that -- but that's (again) *not* the President.

AND, if those border agents *really believe* that they did nothing wrong (and I'm not saying one way or another, here) to the point of thinking that a pardon "indicates" that they *did* do something wrong -- then -- those border agents are free to *reject* the pardon and stay in jail to assuage their conscience.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[CaptainK]

Did my email make the difference?

[Star Traveler]

The article said -- "Bush open to idea of pardon for former U.S. Border Patrol agents who shot Mexican drug dealer"

And..., how long is the President going to make them wait before the pardon...? Till the end of Bush's term?

Regards,
Star Traveler

[fr_freak]

You think Bush gives a damn about opinion at this point?

Obviously I can't know for sure, but more and more the answer appears to be yes, at least in some areas. The real question is: whose opinion does he give a damn about?

[org.whodat]

Looks as if the pardon is a done deal.

I'm way past taking bush's word on anything. I'll believe it when I see it, until then it's just another unfunded fence gimmick.

[pabianice]

If Bush does not pardon these men his approval will fall below 15%. I'll be one of those he's lost.

[Jorge]

A pardon is granted to someone guilty of wrongdoing. The border agents did nothing wrong. They should be apoligized to and let go, they don't need a "pardon".

Any normal interpretation of law says you're wrong.

Border agents responsibilities don't include being judge jury and executioners of drug smugglers.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

Bush said "there's a process for pardons" and the case has to work its way through the system.

BS! He could sign the paperwork first thing in the morning and it'd be a done deal.

[Jorge]

I pledge to support all Americans who shoot illegal criminal invaders in the ass. Do it for the children.

For the children. You have a distorted sense of justice.

Perhaps we should likewise support chopping off your fingers for typing a post that promotes such warped moral priorities.

[Pukin Dog]

Bush will NOT pardon these men, and anyone who thinks he should is ignorant of the facts.

EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!

[Sender]

I would much rather have an insurmountable wall and a reasonable agreement with the Mexican government. Failing that, I say those who bring half a ton of drugs illegally into this country will be shot in the ass.

Chop away, amigo. No me preocupe. Hagalo por los ninos.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

I was commenting in general, wasn't refering to the President per se.

If any pardoning is going to be done, it's upto the border agents whether or not to pardon the judge for wrongly convicting them.

And what are Thanksgiving turkeys guilty of, those who receive Presidential pardons ?

[ARA]

I wouldn't consider myself "right wing" and I've been trashing him...

C

[Jorge]

Failing that, I say those who bring half a ton of drugs illegally into this country will be shot in the ass.

So NOW it's not just suggesting we shoot ALL illegals, but only those who "bring half a ton of drugs".

You are too funny.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

Many Knee Jerkers who reacted to this, once again, don't seem to care about the FACTS. Most don't even have a clue about what really went on in this case.

The case was tried buy a JURY, of 12, and they found them guilty. NOT THE PRESIDENT!. I viewed the evidence that was presented to the Court about these agents and I side with the court's decision.

These agents did some very underhanded things, they covered up evidence, knew the perp was unarmed and they fired 12 rounds from their shot guns into the back of the suspect as he tried to flee.

The Two guards were Mexican Americans hired to work as Border Patrol. There is nothing in this case that says the President has any obligation to pardon the criminal behavior of these two guards.

[Sender]

Before you judge me, I am not some knuckle-dragging Mexican hater. I elected to study in Mexico rather than any other international destination. I have always promoted Hispanic culture as being moral and hard-working.

That being said, the current state of our Southern border is inexcusable. Millions run across each year, some of them hostile non-Mexicans. Crime and drug cartels are becoming increasingly violent in places like Nuevo Laredo and the border crossing towns. People, especially young women, are often kidnapped and killed. Rivals are routinely gunned down. Now we have reports of our own National Guard being routed by armed banditos or narcotraficantes coming across and our troops are unarmed. This is not an acceptable situation. Neither is the wholesale shift of half the Mexican working population al Norte an acceptable situation.

We simply need to work out some things. The border as it is is a joke. The rules of engagement are a joke. Something has to change.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

The Mods are smoking on this thread.

[Jorge]

These agents did some very underhanded things, they covered up evidence, knew the perp was unarmed and they fired 12 rounds from their shot guns into the back of the suspect as he tried to flee.

Thank you. Nice to read comments from somebody who actually knows something about the case.