Posted on 02/10/2007 12:32:11 PM PST by NapkinUser
Washington - Former Border Patrol agents Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos have become famous in conservative circles, in a case which shows the power of talk radio and the blogosphere.
The two agents are serving prison sentences after being convicted of shooting a suspected drug smuggler and trying to cover up the incident. Many lawmakers in Washington are asking President Bush to pardon the agents, who they say were convicted wrongly for protecting the border of the United States against criminal intruders.
The agents were sentenced to 12 and 11 years in prison, respectively.
The calls for an executive pardon and a congressional investigation into the case intensified this week following reports that Ramos was assaulted in a Mississippi prison.
Rep. Tom Tancredo, Republican of Colorado, an ardent critic of illegal immigration who is pondering a run for the White House, spent about an hour with Ramos at the jail on Friday and said he had been severely beaten, with deep bruises along his arm, cuts and bruises on his chest and back, and bruises on his knees.
Ramos told the lawmaker that he had been pummeled and kicked by five or six inmates on Saturday in a planned attack while others watched after they saw him on an episode of the television show America's Most Wanted, Tancredo said. Ramos did not get medical attention until Monday and a CAT-scan showed no brain damage, the lawmaker added.
"This guy should never be walking around in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs, he should be home with his family," Tancredo said, shortly after leaving the prison. "This is a horrible travesty."
Ramos' attorney, David L. Botsford, said that a motion is pending at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to get bail for Ramos while he plans an appeal.
A similar request was rejected by a district court, said Botsford, a prominent criminal defense attorney in Austin.
The plight of the two Border Patrol officers has become a major cause on conservative talk shows and on Web sites that promote more enforcement against illegal immigration.
The suspected drug smuggler, Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, had entered the United States illegally in a van that contained more than 700 pounds of marijuana. The prosecution contends that Compean shot at him 14 times and Ramos fired once, hitting Aldrete-Davila in the buttocks as he tried to run away on foot.
The agents contend that they saw an object in Aldrete-Davila's hands that looked like a gun and that he was pointing it towards them.
Ramos and Compean were convicted a year ago on several charges including assault with a deadly weapon and intentionally defacing a crime scene. Aldrete-Davila was given immunity in the case to testify against the agents and has filed a multi- million dollar lawsuit against the U.S. government.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, said this week that "the sentences in this case are too extreme given the criminal nature of the defendant and his possession of large quantities of drugs."
In a letter to Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, she also said that the "aggressive prosecution of Border Patrol agents has a chilling effect on their ability to carry out their duties and on the morale of all agents."
I'm sure Mr Ramos would prefer to be anonymous and unbruised.
You can bet on American Traitor Alberto Gonzales to do a full "Court" press to make sure this doesn't happen.
Nobody, not even the Mexico City mole Johnny Sutton disputes that Davila possessed the marijuana. So why is he still a "suspected" smuggler?
BS! The only one that said anything about impeachment was Rohrabacher. And he is not "calling for it." He said IF THE AGENTS ARE KILLED IN PRISON.... " Hopefully, we'll never get to that point.
Transfer Ramos and Compean to Club FED.... NOW!
ROFL!
I said at least one...which is true. So, BS to you.
Hopefully, we'll never get to that point.
Agreed.
I guess since he was given immunity for drug smuggling and never had a trial??? Too bad these two agents didn't receive the same respect from HLS this criminal received.
Bush sure makes it tough to support him, doesn't he? This reminds me of the ports deal all over again, with us compelled to oppose the White House and side with verminous Democrats.
We should learn to frame the issues properly.
There never should have been a jury to begin with. The outcome was preordained the moment the charges were filed. And the judge repeatedly excluded defense evidence and motions to ensure conviction. If you don't understand the injustice of this entire case then you are either a "former prosecutor", a fool, or a stooge. (all of the above? you would be in good company)
Pretty pathetic, huh? It is so disappointing to see the support of Sutton's vile injustice by some on this forum.
They destroyed evidence and lied on their reports...hence, charges.
There were 14 previous shootings by Border Agents under Sutton's watch. These included 4 fatalities. In each of those cases, the agents were able to justify their actions. None of them obstructed justice. Result: they were never indicted.
Nice clouding of the issue.
The jury convicted, not a boogeyman that reinforces your Bush Bashing.
On false evidence, apparently.
Actually, they were not "ridiculous", but nauseating in light of his callous refusal in the agents' case...
On December 21, 2006, President Bush pardoned these drug offenders:
• Marie Georgette Ginette Briere — possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
• George Thomas Harley — aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine.
• Patricia Ann Hultman — conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and other controlled substances.
• Eric William Olson —possession with intent to distribute, possession, and use of hashish.
On September 28, 2005, President Bush pardoned these drug offenders:
• Adam Wade Graham — conspiracy to deliver LSD
• Larry Paul Lenius — conspiracy to distribute cocaine
• Larry Lee Lopez — conspiracy to import marijuana
• Mark Lewis Weber — selling Quaalude tablets, selling, using and possessing marijuana
Bush also commuted the sentence of Phillip Anthony Emmert, who was serving time for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He also pardoned Jesse Ray Harvey, a United Mine Workers union member convicted of blowing up mines in West Virginia.
Wrong. You said he is "calling for it". He is not.
No... they didn't. Do your homework, PRND.
In fact, Ramos didn't pick up his shell casing or even file a report. You're just sounding like a shill for Sutton, now.
"If" doesn't excuse his lame impeachment rhetoric.
If so, they should be freed.
However, that hasn't been proven. So talk of pardons and impeachment is ridiculous at this point.
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