jayde Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 about time!! nothng like leaving it to the last moment. Bush commutes sentences of former US border agents Jan 19 01:03 PM US/Eastern By DEB RIECHMANN Associated Press Writer Write a Comment WASHINGTON (AP) - 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. Compean and Ramos, who have served about two years of their sentences, are expected to be released from prison within the next two months. They were convicted of shooting admitted drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete Davila in the buttocks as he fled across the Rio Grande, away from an abandoned van load of marijuana. The border agents argued during their trials that they believed the smuggler was armed and that they shot him in self defense. The prosecutor in the case said there was no evidence linking the smuggler to the van of marijuana. The prosecutor also said the border agents didn't report the shooting and tampered with evidence by picking up several spent shell casings. The agents were fired after their convictions on several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and with serious bodily injury, violation of civil rights and obstruction of justice. All their convictions, except obstruction of justice, were upheld on appeal. With the new acts of clemency, Bush has granted a total of 189 pardons and 11 commutations. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluePirate Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Finally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imyahuckleberry Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 ABOUT #### TIME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stSuperScot Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I am glad he did it! It would have said more if he had done it sooner. Much sooner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bleeds Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Whew! That was close. I kind of had a feeling he might do this as one of his last acts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1stSuperScot Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 GWB more loyal to political protege, Johhny Sutton, than to BP agents. Disappointing. :thumbdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortal13 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 This pleases me :thumbsup: I would have preferred full pardons for them. I don't believe they committed any crime at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyefan1984 Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 This should have been a long time ago. It pained me to see two border agents put in prison because of pressure from the Mexican government. What Johnny Sutton did to get the conviction on those two was horrendous, and should be held accountable for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildcatsRule Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 This was a "No brainier". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirtFalcon Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have been one of GWBs biggest supporters but frankly I have been very disappointed in him as I feel he has turned his back on conservatives and the Republican Party and has done a lot of damage to conservatism especially during his second term. That said, we are all far better off with him these past eight years than we would have been with aLGore or Kerry. In my opinion, he should have given full pardons to these agents, as well as Scooter Libby who did absolutely nothing wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckeyefan1984 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 ^ agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveTV1 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 This pleases me :thumbsup: I would have preferred full pardons for them. I don't believe they committed any crime at all. I totally concur. There sentences were unjust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owensas Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Is there a good source for more info on this? The article mentions they tried to cover up the shooting, why would they do that if they felt they were acting in self defense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Immortal13 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Is there a good source for more info on this? The article mentions they tried to cover up the shooting, why would they do that if they felt they were acting in self defense? link link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluePirate Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 link link Shafted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medman7 Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 I have never understood why they ever tried to convict these guys. They did the world a justice and was persecuted for it! They should have gotten a medal for it. Just think of all of the lives these drug lords have destroyed and how many people they have killed or ordered to be killed. I only hate they could not have gotten several more of them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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