[Ramius]

Had a jury not convicted them, yes of course I’d have had no problem with that.

Where I part with some conservative brethren is that from what I’ve seen these guys did probably push too far. I’ll stand behind cops and federal officers that simply make mistakes. But when they don’t own up to a mistake and cover it up... I also don’t blame a jury for looking down on that. These guys were a party to their fate.

But that said, I think the sentence was too much for the crime. I’m glad that Bush commuted the sentence. I think it was the right answer.

IMHO

[Clinging Bitterly]

I'm pretty much with you on that. It was essentially a "bad" police shoot, which can be a mistake and they certainly had a chance to make their case on that, but chose instead to try to cover it up. From what I understand the length of the sentences they received was due to a firearms enhancement.

The end result probably exceeded their worst fear in terms of legal jeopardy, but of all people they should know the law and certainly shouldn't be above it. In a system where transgressions such as this are so often brushed aside, it's good to see accountability.

Of course there are plenty who don't see it that way because of the perceived societal quality of the "victim", but it's not the place of police or even society in general to make that judgment.