Agents Get Prison for wounding a smuggler

LA Times ^ | 10-20-06 | Michael bustilllo

[grandpa jones]

EL PASO, Texas — Two U.S. Border Patrol agents were watching the Mexican boundary last year when they stopped a van carrying 743 pounds of marijuana. The driver fled back across the Rio Grande — with a gunshot wound in his buttocks.

Federal prosecutors convinced a jury in March that the agents had shot a defenseless man and schemed to cover it up. Much of the evidence against them came from the drug runner, Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, who reported the shooting to a friend at the Border Patrol in Arizona. Aldrete-Davila was given immunity from prosecution by the U.S. attorney's office.

On Thursday, the agents — Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean — were sentenced to 11 years and 12 years, respectively, for offenses that included violating the smuggler's civil rights. Outraged supporters and anguished family members packed the courtroom, and many wept as the sentences were announced.

[grandpa jones]

Mr. President: Take this issue and make it as important to you as it is to your Republican Base! Grant an immediate pardon to Agents Ramos and Compean.

[LongElegantLegs]

I'd say the Border Patrol should go on strike, but it looks like the last two functioning agents just got sent to prison.

[al baby]

I agree anything less and folks we have lost our country

[maine-iac7]

Mr. President: Take this issue and make it as important to you as it is to your Republican Base!

People: give this President the power he needs to keeps weeding out the judges and whittling down the lawyers....you don't vote to keep the pubs in office - you are helping the enemy within perpetuate this - the activist, socialist-appointed judges with their friends, the libRats and ACLU are our worst enemies -

[grandpa jones]

you don't vote to keep the pubs in office - you are helping the enemy within perpetuate this - the activist, socialist-appointed judges with their friends, the libRats and ACLU are our worst enemies

Well said

[stinkerpot65]

Much of the evidence against them came from the drug runner,

Pure treason on the part of the judge and prosecutor.

[grandpa jones]

I agree anything less and folks we have lost our country

It's hard to believe that the importance of border security falls on deaf ears of our elected representatives.

[Ciexyz]

Sickening. Disgusting miscarriage of justice.

[grandpa jones]

Yeah. The slimeball got shot in the azz with buckshot as he was attempting to flee. And our prosecutor gives him immunity to testify against the agents.

There just aren't any words to describe how angry this makes me.

[grandpa jones]

Sickening. Disgusting miscarriage of justice.

I can't imagine that there are many cops or former cops, or families of law enforcement on any level of government that can understand how this could possibly happen.

[grandpa jones]

I'd say the Border Patrol should go on strike, but it looks like the last two functioning agents just got sent to prison.

These two must not be allowed to be sent to prison.

[stinkerpot65]

http://www.grassfire.org/1142/offer.asp?rid=11229727

[rodeocowboy]

I have been following this story since it started and it is the final straw. I am sitting out this election, the first ever (election day is like a holiday in our family), as are my wife, my sister in law, two of my brothers, and at least one of my sisters. We were all for sure Republican votes in four different states. If Bush pardons them immediately, I, and them, may change my/our mind(s). This is sickening!

[Doc91678]

I agree wholeheartedly. This is a travesty of justice.

[Doc91678]

I agree whole heartedly. This is a travesty of justice.

[Ciexyz]

Please don't sit out the election, because the alternative would be far worse. However, I sympathize with your sense of despair.

I felt that way about the Pubbies under Bush Sr., and I voted for Perot - which brought Clinton to power with a minority of votes. In other words, the Dems want you to stay home.

[Ciexyz]

This is absolutely looney tunes.

[ashamedtobefromparkridge]

wHO'S YOUR FAVORITE BETWEEN KENNEDY AND PELOSI?

What is it like to be so stupid you think that letting dems in will help?

People's stupidity amazes me,

So what do you support the most cut and run, higher taxes, rights for terrorists or absolutely no new controls on the borders?

Boy you are so full of hate of the president and love of the dems you make me ill.

[wildcatf4f3]

oh forget it...i hate modern america....its all over

[DB]

Brilliant.

Our house is on fire and the best you can do is watch it burn.