Their sentences are commuted.
Thank God!
They weren't pardoned, which is a travesty - and I don't say that lightly.
But their sentences will end on Mrch 20th. My birthday. I don't think I'll get a better present that day.
Bush commutes sentences of former Border Patrol agents
h/t Sherri
Monday, January 19, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Having their sentences commuted is fair. There's no firm evidence that the illegal immigrant smuggled drugs. If Ramos and Jose Compean then covered up their actions, that presumes guilt because they found out otherwise.
As the article notes, Aldrete-Davila... said he was unarmed and... attempting to surrender when Compean attempted to beat him with a shotgun... Whether this is true, I have no idea. Presumably, either did the patrolmen.
However, I, too, feel the ADW sentences and extended prison terms were too harsh. (I'm agreeing with Bush...?)
A Border Patrol agent is a dangerous job: reducing their sentences to misdemeanors would be far more just. In my mind, the thought of losing my right to vote is harsh enough.
The van Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila left behind had over 700 lbs of pot in it. That's why he had to be given immunity to testify. He already had a record. The Feds indicted him on more drug smuggling since the trial. He was a criminal drug smuggler.
Davila attacked the border agent and cut him. That's why when Ramos caught up he fired at Davila because the first thing he saw was Compean on the ground and bleeding.
Plus a prosecution witness - an Army doctor - directly contradicted the prosecutions assertion that Davila was shot in the back.
Thanks, Maggie. I dug deeper because I didn't know the entire story. I corroborated your comment, and agree with you completely: the border agents should be pardoned outright. This was Aldrete-Davila's second offense.
Even moderately liberal Diane Feinstein was concerned: "Any drug dealer on the border who doesn't obey a command and runs cannot be shot?" she asked one witness. "No wonder so much drugs are coming across the border. That's amazing to me." [Salon]
Apparently, he was granted immunity to testify.
Post a Comment