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.
Unless it's a part of the country where if you get divorced, you can still be cousins, there's at least one guy who puts down the tent cards and takes some pictures of the scene. That's usually enough to tell the Sheriff whether you're telling the truth.
And you believe every DoJ report? Gee...have you ever heard of the Wako fiasco and the coverup there by the DoJ (FBI) or Ruby Ridge. The guys who are supposed to protect us aren't doing there jobs.
Instead of prosecuting this case, they ought to be going after Terrorists that want to blow up "dirty bombs" or drug smuggling cartel members.
no dems is so BUSTED!
The cops' mission here is NOT to find the homeowner guilty. Unfortunately in some states the law presumes evil intent on the part of the homeowner who acts in self-defense. That's being slowly changed.
BTTT
"Because there was gunfire, the mandatory-minimum prison sentence the agents will serve is 10 years. The U.S. Probation Office in El Paso, Texas, has recommended 20 years -- 20 years away from their wives and their children, and among the type of people they've put behind bars."
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/Column.aspx?ContentGuid=f8b492f5-0484-4e7f-846b-7e8d27c7149a
Sounds like they were misinformed by the Judge. Sounds like more than a few of the jurors have had "second thoughts" about what they did. I hope an appeal is granted or Sensesenbrenner gets moving on some legislation to overturn this bad case.
Hey, if a person is on the wrong side of an issue it doesn't matter if they're a Pubbie or a 'Rat.
I'm not paranoid. I'm getting a kick out of you defending what amounts to "rogue officers".
I see nothing wrong with the conviction.
I stated earlier that I thought the sentence was stiff.
But, it was pointed out that there are mandatory sentencing guidlines in effect.
The only appropriate punishment should be a letter directing them to spend more time at the firing range. Keep it there 5 years.
A nursing degree is a BS. Not a liberal arts degree.
You didn't out and out say you got a medical degree, just what a medical degree is. So I assume you didn't get one or you'd have a little more pride.
And you wouldn't need to resort to snide comments if your IQ was high enough.
I know of many stupid people who have multiple degrees. Of course, the degrees are in really easy subjects. And they're still working for less than $50K per year. Professional students.
This bozo defended this country and your sorry ass for over 20 years. I have seen what makes this country the best in the world. It is not turning a blind eye to the on-going state sanctioned invasion from our neighbors to the south. When Bush is out of office your grandkids will be dealing with the repercussions from this invasion. Wake the hell up. The sovereignty of your country should trump your allegiance to any political party. Act like an American.
Dog gets run over by car -- BLAME BUSH.
JURY of 12 decides fate in court case of two Border Patrol -- "BLAME BUSH".
Every damed thread involving "immigration" turns into A BLAME BUSH butt smooch between those who BLAME BUSH FOR EVERYTHING.
Why not just drag Mark Foley into this and make it less tedious?
That's most of the country ~ why do you think there shold be restrictions on cousins getting married? Particularly if the alternative is marrying your niece or sister?
No, it's to establish the facts. If the homeowner sterilized the scene, that prevents the police/sheriff from establishing the facts. "Tidying up" or "enhancing" the scene (the "let's drag the deceased back into the house" stuff I've seen a couple of times) is looked at as showing consciousness of guilt.
As soon as you get off your high horse, then maybe I will.
Of course that didn't address my response at all, but that was your intent.
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