Texas deputy to pay price for defending self

Washington Times ^ | 2 February 2007 | Jerry Seper

[Aussie Dasher]

A Texas deputy sheriff who fired shots at a fleeing vehicle after the driver tried to run him down faces 10 years in prison for injuring one of the passengers, a Mexican national being smuggled illegally into the United States.

The U.S. attorney, who won lengthy prison terms last year for two U.S. Border Patrol agents in the shooting of a drug-smuggling suspect, also prosecuted Edwards County Deputy Sheriff Guillermo F. Hernandez, who is to be sentenced next month.

The deputy's boss, Sheriff Donald G. Letsinger, said his officer -- who had been on the job for a year -- "followed the letter of the law" in defending himself in the April 2005 incident and questioned why the government brought charges.

"This is a fine young man, and I just don't believe he committed the wrong of which he was accused," Sheriff Letsinger said. "I have never had anything hurt me so badly as this prosecution. We've got to make this right."

Rep. Ted Poe, Texas Republican, called the prosecution and conviction of Hernandez, known to his friends as "Gilmer," "another example of how the federal government is more concerned about people [who are] illegally invading America than it is about the men who protect America."

"Once again, our government is on the wrong side of the border war," Mr. Poe said.

[sig226]

When the guy runs away, the officer is no longer defending himself. He is acting as an agent of society. I'm sure there are circumstances in which a citizen could make an argument that the attacker posed such an obvious threat to others that deadly force was required. I wouldn't want to sit in the witness chair and make that argument. Even if it was true, that means a lot of people got maimed or dead before it got to that point.

[zeugma]

When the guy runs away, the officer is no longer defending himself. He is acting as an agent of society.

We would concur on that. In "theory", an agent of the state should have a higher burden in such an instance than a citizen. The problem is, these days, unless an illegal is involved, cops have little or no consequences to their actions.

I'm sure there are circumstances in which a citizen could make an argument that the attacker posed such an obvious threat to others that deadly force was required. I wouldn't want to sit in the witness chair and make that argument.

Depends upon the place or circumstances. In Texas, when on your own property, you have a lot of leeway if it is after dusk or before dawn. 

Even if it was true, that means a lot of people got maimed or dead before it got to that point.

Not sure what you meant by this.

[sig226]

My own view of the theory is that the cop is the personification of the society, rather than a specific individual who is part of the society. Historical examples demonstrate that a person who is willing to attack a police officer is capable of anything. Most people stop.

To clarify my reference to the witness stand, imagine the driver has already run over a bunch of old ladies on the sidewalk at Bingo night and is driving away screaming, "Now I'm going to get the ones at Saint Anthony's!"

Even if I shot the guy and stopped his attack, there would be a lot of innocent blood on the ground.

[cowdog77]

"The only people who care about illegal are the Minutement and a few lone deputy's doing their jobs. What is theirreward? Prosecution, anytime the government gets a chance."
_______________________
How true........and how very, very sad. This is depressing as hell.

[zeugma]

Even if I shot the guy and stopped his attack, there would be a lot of innocent blood on the ground.

O.K.  I didn't quite catch where you were coming from first time around.

BTW: I dig the Sig226. That's my primary firearm. When I pull the trigger I want the damn thing to fire!

[sig226]

"How I sell the Sig Sauer handguns," by a salesman with a sick sense of humor.

"When you want a nice dinner, you talk to the Italians. If you want a nice wine with dinner, you talk to the French. If you want to go to a nice show after dinner, it's English. If your date turns expecially romantic, the Swedish will provide an inspiration."

"And if you want something dead, talk to the Germans."

:D

[zeugma]

"And if you want something dead, talk to the Germans."

LOL. Now, that's funny.

It would appear to be true though. H&Ks are the same way.

[Ladycalif]

Please watch and Circulate this video. It will break your heart.


I have a feeling that Agents Ramos and Compean will be pardoned soon. There is so much attention in the main stream media on their wrongful conviction that it is just a matter of time.

Unfortunately, Gilmer Hernandez hasn’t gotten the same amount of attention and this man does not deserve to go to jail just for doing his job. Please circulate this video around as much as possible. He has a beautiful wife and baby girl that need him.

CIRCULATE THESE LINKS

http://www.immigrationwatchdog.com/?p=3041
http://www.freegilmer.com

[Ladycalif]

See rally

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1782732/posts

[Ladycalif]

Free the Texas 3 PING

[EternalVigilance]

BUMP!

[Ladycalif]

Love their shirts - "With God All Things Are Possible"

[Diddle E. Squat]

Yes, bttt

[EternalVigilance]

Amen. And, we can't forget: "There's more with us than there are with them."

[Ron H.]

Starting to sound more and more like we have a rogue prosecutor on a personal mission or perhaps even a vendetta. It might be interesting to see just what turns up if an investigation were done into Sutton's past and current cases and any possible ties to the Mexican government or maybe even drug lords.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

Seems to be no justice---in this world...

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

thought you might appreciate the quotes from Ted Poe (I know I do!)

[TheeOhioInfidel]

Starting to sound more and more like we have a rogue prosecutor on a personal mission or perhaps even a vendetta. It might be interesting to see just what turns up if an investigation were done into Sutton's past and current cases and any possible ties to the Mexican government or maybe even drug lords.

This is my hope - that they finally dig up something that will stick to Sutton; and personally I don't care how far up the chain in command it turns out going.

[Ladycalif]

Thanks for your help and support.

[La Enchiladita]

Sheriff Letsinger, with three deputies to handle all law-enforcement matters in a 2,000-square-mile county, called the Texas Rangers after the incident to investigate what happened. He said he also called the Mexican Consulate because Mexican nationals were involved, and the consulate later notified the FBI.

Why did the Rocksprings sheriff call the Mexican consulate? What gives the Mexican consulate the right to contact OUR FBI? What gives illegal invaders ANY RIGHTS AT ALL?

This gives truth to the talk that there is collusion between our government and the Mexican government when it comes to protecting Mexican illegals and pillorying our own law enforcement at the border.

We know for a fact that the Mexican government obtained agreement from OUR GOVERNMENT to monitor and report Minuteman activities.

Mexico now dictates how we run our side of the border. If this is not recognized as a declaration of war by our so-called government, then it should be recognized as such by our citizens. And we should recognize that this administratino is deliberately letting Mexico win.

An American law enforcement officer now faces prison because he attempted to detain a vehicle that tried to run him over, i.e., to defend himself and to enforce the law. If these persons in the vehicle had been any but Mexican illegals, he would not be facing prosecution. Period.

Johnny Sutton cannot be seen as anything but an agent of the Mexican government in its war against and invasion of the U.S.A.