In this case, having read all of the accounts, and being more than favorably disposed towards the agents to begin with...I have to say that they opened the door for a guilty finding by their own actions to cover up the shooting, and the inconsistancy of their stories in the process.
It is sickening that our government would use an abject criminal to make this point, and to offer him amnesty for his own illegal acts. In any case I believe that too be a travesty...but the agents bear responsibility for making all of that possible.
If they had simply reported it, they would not be in this fix. That they didn't and the way they went about not reporting it and covering it...makes them look far more guilty than they are, and gave the prosecution the opening. IMHO, at the later date, they should have taken the suspended sentence plea bargain I heard they were offered.
If Bush does contact these families...maybe that will set the stage for a presidential pardon at the end of his term.
You said -- "If they had simply reported it, they would not be in this fix. That they didn't and the way they went about not reporting it and covering it...makes them look far more guilty than they are, and gave the prosecution the opening. IMHO, at the later date, they should have taken the suspended sentence plea bargain I heard they were offered."
You deal with that administratively, for the *particular* policy of the department, but that in no way would justify any kind of dismissal from the department. Perhaps a reprimand on the record and some documentation. They keep the jobs, they're reprimanded for some department policy violations and that's it. End of story.
Next time, shoot to kill the guy and report the shooting..., that's all.
Regards,
Star Traveler