Posted on 10/19/2006 3:37:27 PM PDT by no dems
Edited on 10/19/2006 4:07:46 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Ex-border agents sentenced for shooting smuggler
AP
EL PASO, Texas -- Two former U.S. Border Patrol agents were each sentenced Thursday to more than a decade in federal prison for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler and then trying to cover it up.
Ignacio Ramos was sentenced to 11 years and one day, and Jose Alonso Compean was sentenced to 12 years. Both were fired after their convictions on several charges including assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice, and a civil rights violation.
The men, neither of whom spoke in court, will be allowed to turn themselves in Jan. 17.
The agents have proclaimed their innocence in the Feb. 17, 2005, shooting of admitted drug smuggler Osvlado Aldrete Davila.
Aldrete was shot in the buttocks as he fled across the Rio Grande into Mexico after a confrontation with Ramos and Compean. The agents said they shot in self defense, but prosecutors charged that they had no reason to shoot at the fleeing man, who later claimed he was unarmed.
Since their convictions, support for the agents has swelled. Several prominent law makers, including U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, the Wisconsin Republican who chairs the House judiciary committee, have even called for a Congressional investigation into the agents' prosecutions.
The union representing most rank and file Border Patrol agents established a legal defense fund. And civilian border watch groups have asked the U.S. Attorney General's office to review the case and throw out the jury's guilty verdicts.
It's called tampering with evidence, and it's why one rotten apple in the police force can make life miserable for the whole department.
Uh Bush had nothing to do with it. BTW, you do know a jury of 12 of your peers actually decided the guilt.
But what the hey being knee jerk feels so much better.
So you supporters of this decision would rather back the word of an illegal alien drug smuggler in this case? No...this is a stupid decision to even prosecute this case. The US Attorney's office should have a large Freep.
Johnny Sutton is the US Attorney there. Debra Kanof and Jose Luis Gonzalez prosecuted on behalf of the US Attorney.
The whole matter is indemic to how stupid this admin is on border security. And I voted for Bush twice.
That's 910 speak. Our government constantly reminds us that we are in the middle of a war yet our Justice Department prosecutes Americans defending our borders. Do you not see the hypocrisy in this? Do you think the North Koreans would prosecute their soldiers if they shot foreigners infiltrating their country in the middle of a war? As a country we need to decide if we are at war once and for all and act accordingly. Otherwise pull these patriots off the border and let Vicente's invasion go forth unabated.
What you weren't told: Compean fired off fifteen rounds, they didn't make any report at all until the IG asked them what had happened, and it turned out they had sterilized the crime scene immediately after the shooting.
It wasn't the shooting. It was the cover-up.
That one is so grotesquely outrageous, I have not even been able to comment on it. Thank goodness for Andrea Peyser (in this case...).
Okay, finally, the one thing I'll comment on, I've held it in so long, but... I noticed she shaved for the sentencing.
*meow*
Beyond that, and back to the topic at hand, this is where I exit the original argument of this thread... "Some men you just can't reach."
Nice to see ya, SirG... it's been too damn long.
Maybe the Volunteer Fire Department will haul away the body.
The homeowner is going to be free to start cleaning things up and calling a lawyer to get a civil case going against the dead guy's estate, or his relatives, to pay for it all.
Uh it was 12 of your peers on a jury who decided the trial.
No, all I see is you and a bunch of other bozo's trying to pin this on Bush.
How odd, then, that you were badmouthing him here BEFORE the 2004 election and ever since.
The internet leaves a trail.
I'm talking about the 10+ year sentences these guys got vs. the lawyer that only got 28 months for providing support for terrorists. The sentencing priorities seem a little backward to me. I guess you see nothing wrong with this situation.
Boy are you both right, that anarchist lawyer who was a traitor to the country should have gotten life.
The judges are retarded/liberal in these cases I bet.
Where is the anger at 12 of your peers who actually decided this case.
Can either of you explain WHY the horridly long sentences?
Governor Perry chose to allow the lawful process to prevail. Nobody has been denied the right to appeal. To intervene at this point would be an injustice to the accused (now convicted), and the citizens of Texas. I have a radical idea. We observe the laws of the State of Texas.
pardon?
Not sure where you live but things are rarely handled in real life like they are in CSI. It's actually more like Jack Bauer's situation.
In New York, for example, the only way a cop gets in trouble is if he misuses an authorized instrument like a broken broomstick or something.
Do the words America, Mexico, butt, smooch mean anything to you?
Firing 15 shots at a drug smuggler and not putting him down for good--that's the crime.
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