Bush Commutes Sentences of Two Border Agents Convicted of Shooting Drug Dealer

AP ^ | 1-19-09 | DEB RIECHMANN

[E.G.C.]

WASHINGTON – In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.

Bush's decision to commute the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who tried to cover up the shooting, was welcomed by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress. They had long argued that the agents were merely doing their jobs, defending the American border against criminals. They also maintained that the more than 10-year prison sentences the pair was given were too harsh.

Rancor over their convictions, sentencing and firings has simmered ever since the shooting occurred in 2005.

Ramos and Compean became a rallying point among conservatives and on talk shows where their supporters called them heroes. Nearly the entire bipartisan congressional delegation from Texas and other lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle pleaded with Bush to grant them clemency.

Bush didn't pardon the men for their crimes, but decided instead to commute their prison sentences because he believed they were excessive and that they had already suffered the loss of their jobs, freedom and reputations, a senior administration official said.

The action by the president, who believes the border agents received fair trials and that the verdicts were just, does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes, the official said...................."

[lilylangtree]

Our Commander in Chief doing a positive thing on Gen. Robert E. Lee day—makes for celebration.

[Vaquero]

at least they can fight their conviction from the comfort of their homes.

[E.G.C.]

Yep, it's posted on Fox News' web site as breaking News.

As mentioned on another post their sentences were commuted.

[Born In America]

At this point, better late than never. It was a fiasco from the get-go. Bush did not do this because of his convictions, he knew he could not leave office with such a wrong in place.

Had he the sense of justice, he should have done it 18 months ago. Who says he did not feel the impact of polling data....

[King of Card Games]

Thank God.

Suck it open borders people.

[08bil98z24]

That still means they are convicted felons.

They still committed a crime. Commuted works for me, they do not deserve to be in jail, BUT they still did abuse their power by filing a false report ... Law enforcement/border enforcement is something they never deserve to be EVER again.

[SueRae]

I just hope and pray that President Bush leaves John Walker Lindh to rot.

[NavyCanDo]

I haven’t checked yet, but you can bet there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth over on the DU.

[I see my hands]

Yet BDSers retain their stench.

[nutmeg]

Commuted, not pardoned. They’re still convicts but it’s better than nothing.

That's right... I'll take it. Ramos and Campion will be out of prison.

THANK YOU, PRESIDENT BUSH!!! (Although he should've done this immediately)

[Liberty Valance]

Thank you President Bush.

[King of Card Games]

I don’t care if they are pardoned or commuted, just glad they’re out of jail period. And I am sure they are both too.

[Calpernia]

ping

[peace with honor]

praise GOD

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[mockingbyrd]

I totally agree. They did commit a crime, but their sentence was way over the top. I think commuting their sentences was just.

[Lazamataz]

Wow!

About freakin time.

[ladyvet]

Thank you President Bush!

[Grunthor]

Thank you, Mr. President.

[eleni121]

Better late than never.

Long overdue.