Thread: Gonzales asked to probe prosecution of agents

http://washingtontimes.com/national/200 ... -6479r.htm

Gonzales asked to probe prosecution of agents
By Jerry Seper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published September 27, 2006

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Rep. Dana Rohrabacher yesterday asked Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to investigate what he called "the exceedingly harsh prosecution" of two U.S. Border Patrol agents now facing 20 years in prison for shooting a suspected drug smuggler in the buttocks.

"This proceeding has garnered national attention calling into question the administration's commitment to secure our borders," said Mr. Rohrabacher, adding that the two agents -- Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean -- "were simply doing their jobs to guard our homeland by attempting to apprehend an illegal drug smuggler."

The California Republican's letter also called for the agents' sentencing next month to be postponed "due to significant concerns over the circumstances surrounding" their prosecution.

Mr. Rohrabacher joins a growing list of Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill who have asked for congressional hearings and reviews by the White House and Justice Department into the prosecution.

"It appears the facts do not add up or justify the length of the sentences for these agents, let alone their conviction on multiple counts," Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat, said in a letter last month to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, requesting a full hearing into the matter.

"Undue prosecution of Border Patrol agents could have a chilling effect on their ability to carry out their duties," she said.

In March, a federal jury convicted Ramos, 37, and Compean, 28, of causing serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, discharge of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and a civil rights violation. The shooting occurred Feb. 17, 2005, near Fabens, Texas, about 30 miles southeast of El Paso.

Osbaldo Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican national, was wounded as he ran from the agents along the Rio Grande. The agents said Mr. Aldrete-Davila had pointed at them what appeared to be a gun. Nearly 800 pounds of marijuana, worth $1 million, was found in the van Mr. Aldrete-Davila abandoned at the river's edge, the Border Patrol said.

Mr. Aldrete-Davila, who was given immunity by prosecutors to testify in the case, received care at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso. He is suing the government for $5 million for violating his civil rights.

Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Wisconsin Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has called for a congressional investigation and open hearings on the case. The investigation is expected to begin before the end of the year.

Rep. John Hostettler, Indiana Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration, border security and claims, has said that if the arrest, trial and conviction of the agents resulted in a chilling effect on others, "then it's definitely something we should know about."

Records show that after Mr. Aldrete-Davila was spotted in his van near the Rio Grande, Ramos gave chase while Compean circled around to head off the suspect. When Mr. Aldrete-Davila jumped out of the van and ran south to the river, he was confronted by Compean, who was thrown to the ground as the two men fought. Ramos said that when he arrived, he saw Compean on the ground and chased Mr. Aldrete-Davila to the river, where the suspect suddenly turned toward him and pointed what looked like a gun.

Ramos said he did not think the suspect was hit. He said Mr. Aldrete-Davila ran through the bush, jumped into an awaiting van in Mexico and sped off.

An investigator from the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General found Mr. Aldrete-Davila in Mexico, where he was offered immunity in exchange for testimony.

"This case represents the worst kind of distorted and upside-down values," Mr. Rohrabacher said. "The drug smugglers are treated like innocent victims and the good guys protecting our borders are given the harshest possible punishment."

I heard Congressman Rohrabacher on a talk radio show tonight and he said so far no response from their letter to Attorney General Gonzales. I was under the impression that a group letter was sent, not just from Rohrabacher. So what will the Attorney General's response be? Should be very interesting.

[quoRep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr., Wisconsin Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has called for a congressional investigation and open hearings on the case. The investigation is expected to begin before the end of the year.

Gonzales is dragging his feet. He's in cohots for sure with Mexico and Globalist elite cabal!! I hope they get to the bottom of this and maybe get the resignation of Mr. (Card carrying La Raza) Gonzales!

Gonzales is dragging his feet. He's in cohots for sure with Mexico and Globalist elite cabal!! I hope they get to the bottom of this and maybe get the resignation of Mr. (Card carrying La Raza) Gonzales!

Truth be known, U.S. Attorney General Gonzales was probably the big push behind the prosecution of the two border agents. At a minimum, I'm sure the prosecuting D.A. and her boss consulted with Gonzales prior to pursuing a conviction of the two agents. Gonzales could have stopped this case dead in its tracks at any time if he would have desired to do so. He is not part of the solution, but the problem. Those politicians attempting to pressure him are probably spinning their wheels. Congress needs to conduct their own investigation.

Those politicians attempting to pressure him are probably spinning their wheels. Congress needs to conduct their own investigation.

That's exactly what it is. Gonzales aint going to do squat. Everyone in their grandmother knows this. Asking him to investigate this is a serious waste of time. Congress get off your do nothing backsides and investigate this yourselves or are you guys worried that you might break a nail in the process.

added to the homepage with the following note.

ALIPAC Note: Perhaps someone should be investigating Alberto R. Gonzales? Americans need to know why our Executive Branch is acting more in the interests of human and drug smuggling cartels than our own citizens and law enforcement agents

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... e&sid=1527

Can't the governor overturn this somehow???

Originally Posted by dman1200

Those politicians attempting to pressure him are probably spinning their wheels. Congress needs to conduct their own investigation.

That's exactly what it is. Gonzales aint going to do squat. Everyone in their grandmother knows this. Asking him to investigate this is a serious waste of time. Congress get off your do nothing backsides and investigate this yourselves or are you guys worried that you might break a nail in the process.

Congress can investigate, but they can't over turn or change anything as far as the law goes.
That's where Gonzales comes in, but we all know he's not going to do one thing to help those border agents.

The question there is, can he be objective, or does he have strong sympathies with mexican citizens that might overshadow his judgement?

I think it's bad that anyone got shot. I think it's really really bad that they had a news report saying that there's people in Mexico dressed like soldiers that seem to be trying to aid and abet drug traffic across the border. I hope that they think of doing some other things on the border issue, maybe the air force can send a plane overhead to look at the whole 2,000 miles once a week?

This is one of those things where a LOT of sunshine is a good thing. For too many years, the border has been unmanaged/unmanageable. It doesn't have to stay that way, and things like illegal trafficking of any kind don't have to be tolerated.

Mexico's a good country, but they have a lot of problems. Having the border fence in place will prevent a lot of Mexico's problems from automatically becoming America's problems...the sooner they get it built, the better...

There will never be a reply. Gonzales is a third generation illegal. He hedged too much when asked that question on tv. He openly admitted he sympathizes with them. He's a turncoat. Pure and simple. He has undoubtably been giving orders to prosecute anyone who tries to stop illegals.