Thread: Tancredo Calls on Hickenlooper to Stop Ritter’s Plead &

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Related article Deportations avoided via DA's plea deals
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Denver, CO Focus Campaign
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Press Releases :: October 2, 2006

Carlos Espinosa 202.226.6997


Tancredo Calls on Hickenlooper to Stop Ritter’s “Plead & Release” Policy
Designer Plea Bargins Put Coloradoans in Danger


(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Tom Tancredo (R-Littleton) today sent a letter to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper encouraging him to adopt tougher police policies when it comes to dealing with suspected illegal aliens. The letter came in response to an investigation by the Denver Post which found that former District Attorney Bill Ritter routinely went out of his way to cut “designer plea bargains” with criminal aliens.

“As a result of this ‘plead and release’ policy, some criminal aliens who were released went on to commit future crimes,” said Tancredo, Chairman of the Congressional Immigration Reform Caucus. “I hope that since Ritter’s departure, the policy of tailoring plea agreements to thwart the intent of federal immigration law has ended.”

The Denver Post reported over the weekend that from 1998 to 2004 alone, more than 150 alien defendants pleaded guilty to the contrived charge of “agricultural trespass” so that they could remain in the country. A review of just fifteen of these cases uncovered aliens defendant charged with possession of 2,000 grams of meth-amphetamine, reckless endangerment, assault, auto theft, cocaine possession, and the possession and sale of heroin. The bulk of these defendants received probation after Ritter offered them the farm trespassing charge as part of what appears to be a “plead and release” policy to allow criminal aliens to remain the country.

One defendant, a 24-year old man from Mexico who was allowed to plead to the agricultural charge was later arrested on attempted murder charges for involvement in a gang-related drive-by shooting.

For a copy of the letter, please visit our website at:

http://tancredo.house.gov/Media/File/Tancredo Hickenlooper Ritter.pdf

The Honorable John Hickenlooper
Mayor
City of Denver
City and County Building
1437 Bannock Street, Suite 350
Denver, CO 80202

Dear Mayor Hickenlooper,

I was disturbed by recent news reports indicating that Bill Ritter, who
served as District attorney from 1993 until 2005, routinely went out of his way to cut “designer plea bargains” with legal and illegal aliens. According to recent news reports, Ritter carefully tailored these plea agreements to ensure that these criminal aliens – charged with a variety of offenses ranging from serious drug offenses to violent crimes like assault – could avoid deportation and remain inside the country.

As you know, The Denver Post recently reported that from 1998 to 2004
alone, more than 150 alien defendants pleaded guilty to the contrived charge of “agricultural trespass” so that they could remain in the country. A review of just fifteen of these cases uncovered alien defendants charged with possession of 2,000 grams of methamphetamine, reckless endangerment, assault, auto theft, cocaine possession, and the possession and sale of heroin. The bulk of these defendants received probation after Ritter offered them the farm trespassing charge as part of what appears to be a “plead and release” policy, allowing criminal aliens to remain the country.

As a result of this “plead and release” policy, some criminal aliens who
were released went on to commit future crimes. One defendant, a 24-year old man from Mexico who was allowed to plead to the agricultural charge was later arrested on attempted murder charges for involvement in a gang-related drive-by shooting.

As Mayor of Denver, I would imagine that you are as disturbed as I am
about these reports. As disturbing as they are, however, the Post story looked only at plea bargains after 1998– five years after Ritter’s DA tenure began. Given that Ritter’s served as DA from 1993 to 2005, however, there could potentially be hundreds of criminal aliens walking Colorado’s streets that took advantage of Ritter’s policy between 1993 and 1998.

We also know from the Department of Justice data from the State
Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that more than 3,000 criminal
aliens were released from Denver jail over this 12-year period and not deported after serving their sentences. If Denver had taken advantage of the federal program that trains and deputizes jail officials to identify illegal aliens and place “hold for immigration” notices on them, they could have been removed by ICE and deported. Bill Ritter never asked the Police Department to look into this program.

As you may know, Houston Mayor Bill White (D) announced last week
the implementation of expanded new procedures to crack down on suspected illegal immigrants. Illegal immigrants detained on minor violations in Houston will reportedly now be fingerprinted. The same rule would apply to anyone with an ID police believe is questionable and all information will be sent to federal authorities. Unfortunately, these policy changes came one week after a Houston policeman was killed by an illegal alien. Given how many criminal aliens Ritter’s “plead and release” policy have put back on Colorado streets over the last yew years, I hope you will consider giving Denver police expanded enforcement tools
as well sooner rather than later.

I hope that since Ritter’s departure, the policy of tailoring plea agreements
to thwart the intent of federal immigration law has ended. In addition, I hope that you will consider implementing additional policies and procedures to provide Denver police officers with the same kind of enhanced tools their counterparts in Houston now have and to demonstrate to all Colorado citizens that Denver no longer welcomes illegal aliens, especially those who commit crimes against the
community.

Sincerely,

Tom Tancredo
Member of Congress

http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_ ... 71458.html

Oct 1, 2006 3:14 pm US/Mountain

Post, Rocky Endorse Democrat Bill Ritter For Gov
(AP) DENVER The state's two largest newspapers, The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, have endorsed Democrat Bill Ritter over Republican U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez for governor.

The News, in its endorsement of the former Denver district attorney on Friday, said the choice was not easy because "we also admire Ritter's Republican opponent, Bob Beauprez."

The paper said it was endorsing Ritter even though his lack of a legislative record made it difficult to verify that he will stick with his campaign positions.

"We're betting the real Ritter is the political moderate we've seen on the campaign trail. And if he holds true to that vision and his pledges, he'll make a fine governor."

The Post, on Sunday, criticized Beauprez for opposing fiscal reform.

It said Ritter was among the leaders who "used their influence to promote Referendum C, a compromise measure that achieved state financial objectives and earned voter approval. Without C, the state would have slashed $365 million in programs this year alone, and more next year."


(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)


http://www.rockymountainnews.com

Bill Ritter has the right stuff for governor
September 29, 2006

Bill Ritter for governor.

Yes, you heard right. We believe that the former Denver district attorney, despite his inexperience outside the law enforcement realm, is the better of two good candidates running for Colorado's top job.

True, our endorsement today is a bit of a gamble given Ritter's limited experience. It could even turn out to be a major mistake. But based on the Bill Ritter we've known over the years and watched on the campaign trail, we don't think that's likely. It will be an error only if Ritter himself proves to be a reckless liar, and we've seen no evidence for that being the case.

To the contrary, while there are many unknowns regarding Ritter, the state of his integrity is not one of them. We've followed his career since his appointment as Denver DA in 1993, and he has shown himself to be a person who means what he says, with little of the ducking and spinning that characterizes many politicians.

Why is this important? Because during his spell as DA, Ritter took public positions on a narrow range of issues, mostly involving criminal justice. He doesn't have a record managing a major enterprise outside of law enforcement, or dealing with a wide range of policy issues as a legislator. He is not on record before this year regarding the majority of matters he'd be dealing with as governor. So there is no way to verify whether what he now describes as his opinions regarding the proper role of government in everything from business regulation to higher education are long-held convictions or the carefully designed themes of campaign consultants.

We're betting the real Ritter is the political moderate we've seen on the campaign trail. And if he holds true to that vision and his pledges, he'll make a fine governor. He'll ensure Referendum C revenue is spent as voters intended it; he'll pursue a balanced transportation plan that doesn't shortchange highway improvements; he'll be a strong supporter of higher education but refuse to give a green light to state schools that seek to raid parents' pocketbooks with impunity; he'll function as a sober-minded check on most of the wilder legislative schemes that would stifle economic growth and job creation; he'll appoint mostly moderate judges in the mold, say, of former Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis, whom he has pointedly praised; and he'll bring in smart managers who'll pay attention to the nuts and bolts of administration.

With Ritter, Colorado also will get a governor who will not be rushed to judgment. Perhaps his most attractive quality is the methodical, thorough way he sifts through an issue before reaching his opinion - an essential skill given the inevitable surprises of the job. In 1998, when Gov. Bill Owens was elected, who could have predicted Columbine or the worst falloff in state revenues since the Great Depression? Who could have imagined 9/11?

Granted, some of what Ritter says makes us uneasy. He has grossly oversold renewable energy as a tool of economic development. Will he push the state to go on a perilous energy diet in the name of combating global warming, as California seems poised to do? He talks about K-12 education funding as if Colorado were in worse shape than almost every other state, when that isn't close to the truth. Will "more money" be the answer to every question regarding education reform and student achievement during his tenure? We hope not.

Our choice was not an easy one, since we also admire Ritter's Republican opponent, Bob Beauprez. Indeed, we have to believe the 7th District congressman - whom we've endorsed both times he's run - would certainly make a better governor than he has let on during this campaign. For that matter, the most powerful argument for electing Beauprez may be to preserve a divided government in a state where the legislature is likely to remain dominated by Democrats.

This is a legislature that in the past two years, despite real accomplishments, has churned out a remarkable array of cockamamie measures that would have curtailed economic freedom and enhanced the power of such Democratic stalwarts as trial lawyers and unions. (One especially ignorant bill that passed allowed the state to "opt out" of international trade agreements.) Owens vetoed most of those bills and Beauprez undoubtedly would veto similar ones in the future. Fortunately, Ritter insists he'd spike the bulk of such legislation, too.

For us, the tipping point between the two men has to do with their campaigns. To be blunt, Beauprez's performance during the past 15 months has not been reassuring. It began with his taking an unconvincing stand against Referendum C, one seemed designed to secure his right flank rather than satisfy personal conviction. It continued with his mysterious embrace and then repudiation of Amendment 38, and a couple of verbal gaffes. And for a long time it wasn't clear why Beauprez even wanted to be governor. Only recently - too late in our view - have his positions begun to gel into a focused, coherent message.

This newspaper has watched Ritter under fire and seen him take on new challenges. In everything he does there's a certain steadiness that we believe Coloradans will find reassuring.

Eighteen months ago Ritter was an improbable candidate whom few gave a chance of grabbing the Democratic Party's nomination, given his anti-abortion views. Now he's poised to defy the odds and become the next governor. Fortunately for Coloradans, he's shown he deserves it.


http://www.rockymountainnews.com

A reprise on Ritter
STORY TOOLS
October 1, 2006
On Friday the Rocky Mountain News endorsed Bill Ritter for governor. Readers who may have missed it can find the full text at www.rockymountain news.com/drmn/opinion. We reprint a few highlights here:
"While there are many unknowns regarding Ritter, the state of his integrity is not one of them. . . .

"We're betting the real Ritter is the political moderate we've seen on the campaign trail. And if he holds true to that vision and his pledges, he'll make a fine governor. He'll ensure Referendum C revenue is spent as voters intended it; he'll pursue a balanced transportation plan that doesn't shortchange highway improvements; he'll be a strong supporter of higher education but refuse to give a green light to state schools that seek to raid parents' pocketbooks with impunity; he'll function as a sober-minded check on most of the wilder legislative schemes that would stifle economic growth and job creation; he'll appoint mostly moderate judges in the mold, say, of former Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Love Kourlis, whom he has pointedly praised; and he'll bring in smart managers who'll pay attention to the nuts and bolts of administration.

"With Ritter, Colorado also will get a governor who will not be rushed to judgment. Perhaps his most attractive quality is the methodical, thorough way he sifts through an issue before reaching his opinion - an essential skill given the inevitable surprises of the job. . . .

"Granted, some of what Ritter says makes us uneasy. He has grossly oversold renewable energy as a tool of economic development. Will he push the state to go on a perilous energy diet in the name of combating global warming, as California seems poised to do? He talks about K-12 education funding as if Colorado were in worse shape than almost every other state, when that isn't close to the truth. . . .

"Our choice was not an easy one, since we also admire Ritter's Republican opponent, Bob Beauprez. . . . the most powerful argument for electing Beauprez may be to preserve a divided government in a state where the legislature is likely to remain dominated by Democrats.

"This is a legislature that in the past two years, despite real accomplishments, has churned out a remarkable array of cockamamie measures . . . Owens vetoed most of those bills and Beauprez undoubtedly would veto similar ones in the future. Fortunately, Ritter insists he'd spike the bulk of such legislation, too. . . .

"Eighteen months ago Ritter was an improbable candidate whom few gave a chance of grabbing the Democratic Party's nomination, given his anti-abortion views. Now he's poised to defy the odds and become the next governor. Fortunately for Coloradans, he's shown he deserves it."

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/01bacd ... b226bc2abc

Sunday, October 01, 2006
Plea Bargain Bill, Part 3: It's Not My Dog. He Didn't Bite You. And Besides, You Kicked Him First.
Posted by Hugh Hewitt | 9:33 AM
As the story unfolds in Colorado, keep this in mind: District Attorneys are supposed to execute and enforce the criminal laws and their penalties, not craft transparently deceptive ways around them so that felons can avoid those penalties and remain in a community to victimize it again. The more the public focuses on Bill Ritter's "deportation nullification" policy during his years as Denver DA, the more it will become obvious that he ought not to be given the job of executing all of Colorado's other laws.

Plea Bargain Bill tried four different responses in a Rocky Mountain News story yesterday about the revelation that as Denver DA he plea bargained alien felons charged with serious crimes to the non-deportable offense of trespass on agricultural lands:

Ritter said Beauprez was trying to "confuse" the public by mixing cases involving illegal and legal immigrants, who have a completely different standing within the judicial system.

"I think he's being terribly irresponsible in lumping legal immigrants with illegal immigrants," Ritter said.

and

"We would do things to ensure they had a felony conviction even when there were serious evidentiary problems," Ritter said. "They were still pleading to felonies - they're not misdemeanors."

and

Ultimately, Ritter said, federal immigration officials, not the district attorney, decide who gets deported. When it comes to deciding what crimes trigger deportation of legal immigrants, Ritter said district attorneys nationwide had a difficult time getting a straight answer from federal authorities.

"I'll tell you, I had lengthy conversations with people at the INS from Washington, D.C., when even they were vague about what was deportable and what wasn't," he said.

and:

Ritter said Beauprez "hit" him with the allegations late in the day Friday, preventing him from being able to respond to the details of each case. He said his office had prosecuted 37,000 cases in those years, and Beauprez had cherry-picked five obscure cases to try to make a political point.

What Ritter cannot explain away is a policy that purposefully used an obscure and absurd charge --trespass on agricultural land-- as a means of keeping alien felons from being deported. Employing this tactic not only undermines the legitimacy of the prosecutor's office --"agricultural trespass" is a "crime" completely different from the crimes the felons were charged with, not a "lesser included" offense-- the purposeful frustration of the deportation laws kept criminals in the country who ought to have been sent to their home country.

As the Denver Post points out, there are more than 150 such cases, and the actions of each of these non-deprotees after they got their get-out-of-deportation-free cards from Bill Ritter are very much the responsibility of Bill Ritter.

The Rocky Mountain News reporters let Ritter get away with a series of non-sequitors that went unchallenged (you can't "cherry-pick" 150 cases reflecting a carefully implemented policy, and there's been no "confusing" the public going on legal versus illegal aliens --the issue is purposeful manipulation of charges to avoid deportation). The reporters evidently didn't think to ask Ritter if he was proud of the policy and whether he would urge its adoption on all Colorado Distritcy Attorneys if elected. They also didn't ask if Ritter was worried about allowing felon aliens to stay in the state, and whether he is responsible to the victims of subsequent crimes committed by the non-deportees.

The News' staff may be embarassed by the paper's endorsement of Ritter on the very day this story broke, an endorsement that included the ringing declarations that set aside misgivings about Riotter's "inexperience outside the law enforcement realm" because "while there are many unknowns regarding Ritter, the state of his integrity is not one of them" and that "since his appointment as Denver DA in 1993, and he has shown himself to be a person who means what he says, with little of the ducking and spinning that characterizes many politicians."

On the same day as this early endorsement, a major story breaks that completely undermines the quality of Ritter's experience within law enforcement, goes directly to integrity, and is met with spinning of a Clinton-level quality.

The News' editorial board may not be embarrassed, but it should be. And it should retract this "endorsement" given that the reasons offered to support it have been impeached in striking fashion.

To repeat: District Attorneys are supposed to execute and enforce the criminal laws and their penalties, not craft transparently deceptive ways around them so that felons can avoid those penalties and remain in a community to victimize it again. The more the public focuses on Ritter's "deportation nullification" policy, the more it will become obvious that he ought not to be given the job of executing all of Colorado's other laws.

http://politics.wizbangblog.com

Colorado Governor - Ritter dodges questions
We reported yesterday on the controversy over Democratic nominee for Governor and Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter's policy of allowing felonious aliens to plea guilty to "agricultural trespass," a charge so minor they would not be deported from the conviction. Already at least one of these criminals who got the free pass to stay in the country is in jail on an attempted murder charge, and there are doubtless many others who have committed more crimes. After all, they are criminals, and that is what criminals do . . .

The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News aren't going to force Ritter to answer any tough questions about the policy, which apparently affected at least 150 alien felons and possibly many more, but Hugh Hewitt isn't letting him off so easy:

What Ritter cannot explain away is a policy that purposefully used an obscure and absurd charge --trespass on agricultural land-- as a means of keeping alien felons from being deported. Employing this tactic not only undermines the legitimacy of the prosecutor's office --"agricultural trespass" is a "crime" completely different from the crimes the felons were charged with, not a "lesser included" offense-- the purposeful frustration of the deportation laws kept criminals in the country who ought to have been sent to their home country.

As the Denver Post points out, there are more than 150 such cases, and the actions of each of these non-deprotees after they got their get-out-of-deportation-free cards from Bill Ritter are very much the responsibility of Bill Ritter.

The Rocky Mountain News reporters let Ritter get away with a series of non-sequitors that went unchallenged (you can't "cherry-pick" 150 cases reflecting a carefully implemented policy, and there's been no "confusing" the public going on legal versus illegal aliens --the issue is purposeful manipulation of charges to avoid deportation). The reporters evidently didn't think to ask Ritter if he was proud of the policy and whether he would urge its adoption on all Colorado Distritcy Attorneys if elected. They also didn't ask if Ritter was worried about allowing felon aliens to stay in the state, and whether he is responsible to the victims of subsequent crimes committed by the non-deportees.

Read the whole post at the link above, including Ritter's pitiable attempts at evasion. Beauprez and the GOP should press this issue 24/7 until Ritter is forced to answer directly for his actions.

I was thinking, this name sounds a little familiar, do you think that Mr.John Hickenlooper , might have been a close cousin to Mr. Clem Kadiddlehopper? Surely some of you on here are old enough to remember that Gent. I will write my letter to the Mayor tomorrow! Tancredo is jumping out there more and more, way to go Tom.

TANCREDO FOR PRESIDENT!

Did Mayor Hickenlooper ever have to face the music for employing a cop killing illegal in his restaurant?

Mr. Clem Kadiddlehopper?

Was that Red Skelton?

Originally Posted by MW

Mr. Clem Kadiddlehopper?

Was that Red Skelton?

YUP

2ndamendsis, quote,

Was that Red Skelton?

Yes it was my favorite character of his couldnt resist that after hearing this man's name!