Posted on 02/26/2008 6:51:19 PM PST by NormsRevenge
PHOENIX (Reuters) - A U.S. Border Patrol agent went on trial on Tuesday in the killing of a Mexican man attempting to cross illegally into Arizona, a case closely watched by pro- and anti-illegal immigrant groups.
Jury selection began in U.S. District Court in Tucson, Ariz., to decide the fate of agent Nicholas Corbett, who faces second-degree murder charges for killing Francisco Dominguez Rivera in the southern Arizona desert.
Corbett, who has claimed through attorneys that he shot in self defense, is also charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide in connection with the January 12, 2007, incident.
Dominguez Rivera, 22, was fatally shot after crossing an isolated stretch of the border between Naco and Douglas with his two brothers and the girl friend of one of the brothers. Corbett said he shot after being threatened with a rock.
The incident drew an immediate rebuke by the Mexican government, with that country's Foreign Ministry complaining of "disproportionate violence." Diplomats at the Mexican Embassy in Washington called for a thorough investigation.
Jennifer Allen, executive director of Tucson-based Border Action Network, said the human-rights group plans a weeklong vigil in front of the courthouse.
"We'll be there to send a message affirming that no one is above the law and calling for justice in this case," said Allen, who added that the case underscores the need for better training for agents and oversight.
A Border Patrol spokesman in Tucson had no immediate comment.
A top border patrol union official said the case has been overblown by prosecutors and never should have reached trial. "We're hopeful that justice will prevail and he is found innocent of all charges," said T.J. Bonner, president of the National Border Patrol Council.
Two years ago, two Border Patrol agents in Texas were tried for shooting an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler in the buttocks in a case that drew widespread attention. Ignacio Ramos received 11 years and a day in prison and Jose Alonso Compean was sentenced to 12 years.
Sigh...here we go again. Johnny on the case?
Where’s the outrage?!?!?!?! </dane>
“faces second-degree murder charges for killing Francisco Dominguez Rivera in the southern Arizona desert. Corbett, who has claimed through attorneys that he shot in self defense, is also charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide”
3 death charges for one victim? Which is it? The Kangaroo did it. Or maybe it was a ham sandwich.
And if they had killed him, would there even be trial?
So when are we going to start prosecuting all the illegals who murder US citizens?
I’m beginning to think that it doesn’t really pay to be a citizen of this country any more. You pay all the taxes, support all the deadbeats, and lose your freedoms by the day.
If the illegal had killed the BP officer they would have just run back across the border and been home free. Noone would have ever known who did it and that would be that.
Amazing huh?
Many people used to like Mexico...the culture..our neighbor. Our government, by refusing to stand up for our BP, and not enforcing laws is making Mexico an enemy. Is that the plan?
No, this is being prosecuted by a local county atty.
Ping!
We really are going to have to give our Border Patrol a list of things they must be willing to tolerate without defending themselves. I am just wondering what they are supposed to tolerate-
* Being threatened or assulted with a deadly weapon; rocks, vehicles, firearms...where does this end?
We send them out to do an extremely dangerous job, but seem to expect them to take whatever is used against them, and in no way are they allowed to defend themselves. It’s not just use of deadly force they are not allowed to do in self-defense either, some have been on trial for using their bare hands and flashlights. It seems to me we expect them to roll over for anything that comes there way- no defense allowed at all?
Ramos and Compean update?
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.