Posted on 01/18/2007 4:34:51 PM PST by jdm
WASHINGTON: President George W. Bush left open the possibility of a pardon for two U.S. Border Patrol agents serving federal prison sentences for shooting a Mexican drug dealer as he fled and covering up the crime.
Bush said "there's a process for pardons" and the case has to work its way through the system. In an interview with KFOX-TV in El Paso, Texas, Bush said the White House will review the case, and he urged people to "take a sober look at the case."
"People need to take a tough look at the facts, the evidence a jury looked at, as well as the judge. And I will do the same thing," he said.
Several lawmakers have urged the president to pardon former Border Patrol agents Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos for the shooting of Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, who retreated to Mexico after he was shot and later admitted he was transporting marijuana while in the U.S. illegally.
The agents began serving their sentences Wednesday 11 years and one day for Ramos and 12 years for Compean. Both were fired after their convictions on several charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice, and a civil rights violation.
Rancor over the convictions and sentencing of the agents has been simmering for months, and the two have become a cause celebre among conservatives and on talk shows. Their supporters have said they were defending themselves and have called them heroes. The agents' prosecution occurred as the issue of illegal immigration was being debated in Congress and amid campaigns for last November's midterm elections.
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, introduced a bill Thursday calling for a congressional pardon of the agents. Congress has never issued pardons to anyone convicted of a crime.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
"Bush is being prudent here. Take his time and get all the facts straight."
Taking his good old time, is more like it.
"The people dispariging this president over a lack of instant pardon irritate the hell out of me."
Bush and those who find every unwarranted opportunity to defend him, irritate the hell out of me. Guess we're even steven.
Good, glad I could return the favor. Say hi to Michael Savage for me.
DO you...?
Enough to know there was questionable actions taken by the border patrol that led to their convictions. Enough to know that the President needs to review the facts of this case before making a decision.
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