Border case puts U.S. attorney (Johnny Sutton)on defensive (Barf Alert)

L A TIMES ^ | 14 MAY 2007 | Richard A. Serrano

[radar101]

WASHINGTON — Internet cartoons show him with horns and the word "TRAITOR" branded on his forehead. Conservative talk radio derides him as "Johnny Satan." At least two Republican congressmen, normally staunch defenders of the Bush administration, have castigated him on the House floor.

If the White House and Justice Department had added Johnny Sutton to the list of federal prosecutors to be fired, his ouster probably would not have raised an eyebrow among Democrats, and it would have pleased much of the president's conservative base.

Sutton is the U.S. attorney in west Texas. Based in San Antonio, his border district reaches to El Paso. For five years he has been the top federal lawman in one of the nation's busiest regions, a job he long dreamed of having. It also is one he secured with deep ties to President Bush and Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales, going back to their time in state government in Austin.

The uproar is over his prosecution of two U.S. Border Patrol agents for the February 2005 shooting of a fleeing Mexican drug smuggler near El Paso, a shooting the agents tried to cover up. Last year, Sutton's office won convictions against Agents Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean.

Each was a line officer in what many people consider a hopeless chore: trying to hold back a deluge of illegal immigrants from Mexico. Each is a father of three. And each was sentenced to more than a decade in prison: Ramos to 11 years, Compean to 12.

"This was a serious, serious crime," Sutton said trying again to calm the anger on the political right. "It is a serious crime when law enforcement officers shoot at somebody, shoot him in the back as he's running away, and then cover up the crime."

[Rottweilerson]

” But I also disagree with shooting people in the back unless there are extenuating circumstances.”

Would chasing a foreign national smuggler post 9/11 in the dark & the perp turns half his body in a threatening manner count as “extenuating circumstances”.

[gunnedah]

I am sorry I posted this to the wrong person and message. Excuse Please!
I have been out of pocket or I would have answered all of your thoughts on this.At one time in my life I would have agreed to shoot most of the scum you mention but I just have to disagree with the experience of 32+ years in Law Enforcement. Each case has to be judged on its own merits and believe you me I have seen some terrible decisions made by law enforcement officers. But 99.9% of those I have seen have been correct. But look at it like it were your child and expect the same kind of response and you can make the decision for yourself. This case that started this on here would be a good one to examine and as for the prosecutor giving this man immunity to come testify I believe flies in the face of good judgment especially with this characters record and smuggling when he comes back in to testify.But in defense of the officers if you have never been there you can rest assured it is difficult when the adrenalin is flowing.

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[gunnedah]

I am sorry I posted this to the wrong person and message. Excuse Please!
I have been out of pocket or I would have answered all of your thoughts on this.At one time in my life I would have agreed to shoot most of the scum you mention but I just have to disagree with the experience of 32+ years in Law Enforcement. Each case has to be judged on its own merits and believe you me I have seen some terrible decisions made by law enforcement officers. But 99.9% of those I have seen have been correct. But look at it like it were your child and expect the same kind of response and you can make the decision for yourself. This case that started this on here would be a good one to examine and as for the prosecutor giving this man immunity to come testify I believe flies in the face of good judgment especially with this characters record and smuggling when he comes back in to testify.But in defense of the officers if you have never been there you can rest assured it is difficult when the adrenalin is flowing.

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