I actually did research the case. That the perp was armed was their claim, however, after being shot at at least fifteen times, the guy never fired back.
It was brought up that they later found the weed in the van. That made their offense worse..as far as they knew, they were shooting at just a wetback.
They didn't know they hit the mule, but they knew they were in the wrong....picking up the spent shotgun shells they could find on the site, and then going back to find the rest and throw them away showed they tried to cover it up.
Neither you nor I were on the jury. They convicted these guys, not GWB or the prosecutor. The gun law that gave them the stiff sentence was probably supported at the time it was passed by the majority of conservatives.
Just the law of unintended consequences. By the way, they turned down an 18 month plea deal.
They rightfully turned down a plea deal.
Maybe you should do some more of your research and see that three jurors came out last week and said they were coerced by the foreman. They wanted to vote not guilty but the foreman said that a hung jury was not an option and they had to vote guilty.
Jeese man, what kind of troll are you? Anytime an American believes a drug dealer/illegal over an American law enforcement officer is nothing more than a bleeding heart liberal. Go back to DU and brag about how you PO's the Freepers.