Government admits lying about jailed border agents (DHS fesses up - Rep. Poe ticked!)

World Net Daily ^ | February 6, 2007 | Jerome R. Corsi

[calcowgirl]

Inspector confronted on Capitol Hill, says promised 'proof' does not exist

A Department of Homeland Security official admitted today the agency misled Congress when it contended it possessed investigative reports proving Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean confessed guilt and declared they "wanted to shoot some Mexicans" prior to the incident that led to their imprisonment.

The admission came during the testimony of DHS Inspector General Richard L. Skinner before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, according to Michael Green, press secretary for Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas.

Culberson was questioning Skinner about a meeting DHS officials had Sept. 26 with him and three other Republican congressman from Texas, Reps. Ted Poe, Michael McCaul and Kenny Marchant.

WND previously reported that at that meeting the DHS Inspector General's office asserted it had documentary evidence Ramos and Compean:

1. confessed to knowingly shooting at an unarmed suspect;

2. stated during the interrogation they did not believe the suspect was a threat to them at the time of the shooting;

3. stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican";

4. were belligerent to investigators;

5. destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.

Under questioning by Culberson, Skinner admitted DHS did not in fact have investigative reports to back up the claims: "The person who told you that misinformed you," Skinner reportedly replied.

This prompted a startled and angry response from the congressman.

"You lied to me and you lied to all of us," Culberson charged. "Your office tried to paint a picture of Ramos and Compean as dirty cops, and now you come before this committee and tell us you never had the information to back up those claims."

Ramos and Compean began prison sentences last month after their actions in the shooting of a drug smuggler who was granted immunity to testify against them.

Responding to Skinner's testimony yesterday, Poe said it "explains why DHS has been stonewalling Congress."

"DHS didn't turn over the reports to us to back up their September 26 accusations for one simple reason – the reports never existed," the Texas congressman said.

"Why did it take DHS four months to admit their error?" he asked. "I wonder how much more has DHS told the public and Congress about Ramos and Compean that simply isn't true?"

Poe said he's determined to get to the bottom of DHS's claim.

"I expect this new revelation will lead to a lot more questions before we're done," he said.

Andy Ramirez, who has been involved with the case as chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, told WND the DHS's actions "represent obstruction of justice, and they should be held in contempt of Congress, and, if possible, prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

"This admission today is yet more proof of how they are willing to distort the facts, as I have charged all along, in order to ensure a conviction," he said.

[Iscool]

Mr. Skinner holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Fairmont State College and an MPA degree from George Washington University.

Now I know what the B.S. stands for...

How many more liars do we have in the gov't??? This falls squarely on the shoulders of President Bush and his mouthpiece, Tony Snow...No wonder the gov't wouldn't release trial transcripts...

[pandoraou812]

I didn't say they found it funny nor did I find it funny. Dog did a great job of getting that rapist.... Andrew Luster....I am just wondering why it is never heard about anymore. I know I signed a petition on Dog's behalf. And I am sure you are right that somebody in Mexico was paid off....

But it goes to show you that just how crooked things can be ....

My prayers to these 2 men and their families and the hope that they get some kind of protection while in jail. And a that they be released ASAP. ~~P~~

[radar101]

He began his Federal career in 1969 with the OIG of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A Specialist in bull$h!t

[PGalt]

BUMP!

[CharlesWayneCT]

I think Sutton said he didn't use ANY investigation papers in the trial, only actual testimony. If a person testified at trial to something under oath, it won't matter that they don't have the notes of the original meeting where they found the information.

If the notes were introduced in the trial, then they would matter, but they would then be exhibits and would be on file at the court, so I don't think that's the issue.

If someone testified at trial that they overheard the men say something, it really doesn't matter if the notes the DHS had where the man told DHS about it are still around.

That's why I said it's a "PR" problem, because the promise of notes seems to be related to the post-trial political battle, not the trial itself. The actual appeal of the case is decided in the court system, not the court of public opinion -- at least that's what the conservative view has been in the past.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Look at the WND article. The Wife is never interviewed, or quoted. The FATHER-IN-LAW is cited about stuff he says Ramos told the wife.

So don't blame the wife for a story if it's inaccurate. The family has a designated spinner.

[rodguy911]

The big question is how high up the foodchain all this goes.

[erton1]

I don't know where you get your information, but Sutton is the USA for the Western District of Texas, including El Paso. This crime occurred in his jurisdiction and his office was the proper office to bring the prosecution.

[erton1]

These prisoners are in federal custody, and this case has nothing to do with California. They were never housed in California, and never in the state prison system. I suggest yo do at least a little research before commenting on something you know nothing about.

[Arizona Carolyn]

He also convinced the judge not to put a DEA witness on the stand, who had possibly exculpatory evidence, because he (the DEA Agent) had been involved in a prior, October 2005) drug seizure of -- ta da -- Aldrete-Davila -- and since it was an "ongoing investigation" sealed.

It was determined that this would compromise Aldrets-Davila's integrity at the trial against the two BP agents. In addition another wittness involved in both cases was not allowed to testify because of the October 2005 case.

You also ignore that the HLS agent Sanchez took Davila to have the bullet removed and then took Davila to his home for the night ALONG WITH THE BULLET fragment, therefore breaking the chain of evidence.....

Last, you ignore the evidence that the path of the bullet actually bore out the story of both agents that he was running away from them and pointing a gun at them at the same time...

[Arizona Carolyn]

He also convinced the judge not to put a DEA witness on the stand, who had possibly exculpatory evidence, because he (the DEA Agent) had been involved in a prior, October 2005) drug seizure of -- ta da -- Aldrete-Davila -- and since it was an "ongoing investigation" sealed.

It was determined that this would compromise Aldrets-Davila's integrity at the trial against the two BP agents. In addition another wittness involved in both cases was not allowed to testify because of the October 2005 case.

You also ignore that the HLS agent Sanchez took Davila to have the bullet removed and then took Davila to his home for the night ALONG WITH THE BULLET fragment, therefore breaking the chain of evidence.....

Last, you ignore the evidence that the path of the bullet actually bore out the story of both agents that he was running away from them and pointing a gun at them at the same time...

[Arizona Carolyn]

The question wasn't why Sutton prosecuted the case. It was why did HLS get involved in the case. They got involved because Davila is friends with Agent Sanchez of Tucson, and Davila's mother called Sanchez's MIL who involved Sanchez on behalf of his drug runner friend and Sanchez notified HLS who took the initial report.

[Arizona Carolyn]

The question wasn't why Sutton prosecuted the case. It was why did HLS get involved in the case. They got involved because Davila is friends with Agent Sanchez of Tucson, and Davila's mother called Sanchez's MIL who involved Sanchez on behalf of his drug runner friend and Sanchez notified HLS who took the initial report.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Problem is, I don't think you can successfully sue the government.

[rednesss]

"Last, you ignore the evidence that the path of the bullet actually bore out the story of both agents that he was running away from them and pointing a gun at them at the same time..."

Wow that's some magic bullet fragment if it can tell what was in the guy's hand at the time. That beats the heck out of the JFK magic bullet. Even Ramos and Compean, on the stand, wouldn't swear that they knew he had a gun. After the fact he said he saw a "shiny object". *Note to self, take off wrist watch from now on.

[rednesss]

"You also ignore that the HLS agent Sanchez took Davila to have the bullet removed and then took Davila to his home for the night ALONG WITH THE BULLET fragment, therefore breaking the chain of evidence...."

Source please????

[OregonRancher]

You lasted longer than I would have!!!!! I'm still laughing!!! Being sane is a lost art!!!

B

[Diogenesis]

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodies?

Whitey: "Don't waste your breath. Just call Sandy Berger."

[editor-surveyor]

"We'll have to burn down the entire government in order to save these two upstanding men from paying for their crimes."

They are indeed upstanding men, but they have committed no crime. All allegations against them have at this point been fully debunked by competent testimony.

[Mr. Mojo]

"This admission today is yet more proof of how they are willing to distort the facts, as I have charged all along, in order to ensure a conviction,"

"Distorting facts" ....."misleading information."

The word is: Lying

And the gov't officials who lied should be sent to prison. .....but of course it won't happen.

Why did DHS lie? Why would they go to such outrageous (and illegal) lengths to attempt to secure a conviction on two innocent border patrolmen?

The answer isn't pretty.