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 ...
Looks as if the pardon is a done deal.
It would be a shame if the Prez makes these guys wait, while real scumbags such as Mark Rich never even bothered to show up in court before being pardoned by an even bigger scumbag, Clinton.
It is about time. How much longer is he going to keep these heros behind bars.
A pardon is granted to someone guilty of wrongdoing. The border agents did nothing wrong. They should be apoligized to and let go, they don't need a "pardon".
They have chance with Bush in office. No chance with a dimocRAT.
Geterdone
GWB should charge these guys a buck each and just say he sold the pardon. That way he doesn't have to deal with the merits of the decision. The MSM had no problem when Clinton sold them so it should be okay. /sarc
BUMP
Thank you Mr. President. Some right wing assholes have been trashing you about this issue as of late.
It is a cumbersome process indeed, however you will eventually do what is right.
POTUS could make a cheap, safe pardon here and gain respect from all quarters providing it was worded correctly.
This Administration's public communication sucks. If the President is considering a pardon, why didn't Tony Snow just say that the other day? Was he just winging it?
Yep, right after he starts the border fence.
Bush is being prudent here. Take his time and get all the facts straight. The people dispariging this president over a lack of instant pardon irritate the hell out of me.
You think Bush gives a damn about opinion at this point?
Me too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.