Thread: Transcript: Dobbs, Monica Ramos and Attorney

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DOBBS: Former Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean tonight are free, released from federal prison at least. Four years ago today the two agents shot and wounded an illegal alien drug smuggler that they were pursuing. They were convicted in that shooting on the testimony of that drug dealer and illegal alien who was given immunity to testify against the agents.

They were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The sentences were commuted by President Bush in one of his final acts as president.

The Ramos and Compean prosecution is an outrageous miscarriage of justice that this broadcast has reported on from the outset.

Casey Wian has our report tonight from El Paso, Texas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CASEY WIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): After 25 months behind bars, former Border Patrol agent Ignacio "Nacho" Ramos walked out of prison Tuesday nearly a freeman.

LOU DOBBS TONIGHT was on the flight carrying Nacho, his wife, Monica, and his attorney from Phoenix where he spent most of his time in solitary protective custody, to El Paso where supporters welcomed Ramos home.

Last month outgoing President Bush granted Ramos and fellow former agent Jose Compean commutations of their 11- and 12-year prison sentences for shooting and wounding a drug smuggler in 2005. MONICA RAMOS, IGNACIO RAMOS' WIFE: He was a free man. He wasn't being escorted by six, seven guards at one time. Seeing that bright orange outfit, it was just great to see him and to see his smile.

WIAN: Ramos and Compean are under orders from the Federal Bureau of Prisons not to speak with reporters until their commutations are effective March 20th. They will serve in home confinement until then.

Their convictions outraged more than 100 members of Congress and hundreds of thousands of supporters who bombarded the White House with demands for the agents' release.

JOE LOYA, IGNACIO RAMOS' FATHER-IN-LAW: I never gave up. I have a lot of faith. And I -- and every time I saw Nacho, everything I went to visit him, I just told him you take care of yourself. We're going to get you out, and it happened finally.

WIAN: The agents were convicted largely on the testimony of Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila, an illegal alien from Mexico who has since pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges. Some of those trafficking offenses occurred while he was under immunity from prosecution to testify against the agents.

Ramos and Compean are continuing to pursue with the U.S. Supreme Court an effort to overturn their convictions. For now, Ramos will spend time getting reacquainted with his wife, three sons and scores of family and friends.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WIAN: Last week Ramos turned 40 in prison. Today he's having a belated birthday celebration at home. One of the agents' chief congressional advocates, California congressman Dana Rohrabacher, said at last Ramos and Compean have been rightfully reunited with their families. This day is long overdue. Lou?

DOBBS: Without any question whatsoever.
It looks like there was a ton of supporter there is as Ignacio Ramos arrived in El Paso. Do you got an estimate about how many people were there? It looked huge.

WIAN: There were several dozen, Lou. I was behind him when he was coming down the stairs to be greeted by those supporters. My guess, probably 50 or 60. It's an amazing turnout given the fact that most of those folks did not know he was going to be released until last night or early this morning. It was quite the outpouring of local support for former agent Ramos -- Lou.

DOBBS: Casey Wian who has done the stalwart reporting throughout from the very beginning of this case, outstanding reporting, and thank you again tonight. Casey Wian from El Paso.

Joining me now: Monica Ramos, Ignacio Ramos' wife and David Botsford, Ramos's attorney. Welcome to you both. And Monica, to you first of all, congratulations. I know that this is a day that you and your very supportive family have been waiting for and working so hard for. How is your husband doing?

MONICA RAMOS, IGNACIO RAMOS'S WIFE: He's doing great. He's right now spending some quality time with friends and family back home.

DOBBS: And what was your reaction when he saw all those supporters there? What was your thoughts as you arrived in El Paso?

RAMOS: I think it was wonderful. I know it's been a little overwhelming for him. You know, he's still trying to adapt to his surroundings right now, absorbing the environment, everybody that was around him. But he's just extremely grateful that so much support was there to welcome him home.

DOBBS: And he's had great support from you, from Joe, your father, your whole family. He's got to be so deeply appreciative of that.
How are your kids doing? How are they reacting?

RAMOS: They're just in heaven, to look forward to the days to come now, that their dad's home and they can actually do things with their dad again. They're extremely excited. They're having a dinner with him right now as we speak.

DOBBS: Terrific. David Botsford, what are the conditions of Ignacio Ramos' release and the release of Jose Compean?

DAVID BOTSFORD, IGNACIO RAMOS' ATTORNEY: Essentially, Lou, until March 20th, both of the gentlemen will be in home confinement, essentially being in their home on electronic monitors. They can go to doctor's appointments, that sort of thing, and also to church for religious services, but otherwise, they're basically restricted to their homes.

DOBBS: Let me ask you. You've said in a statement that Ignacio Ramos was quoted -- and if we can put that up, I'd just like everybody to see this if we could, please -- was "subjected to conditions more onerous than those imposed upon the foreign detainees in Guantanamo Bay." You obviously sincerely believe that.

What does that say about our system of justice, our corrections department particularly at the federal level if that's the case?

BOTSFORD: Well, Lou, Ignacio's situation was that he was assaulted when he was at the Mississippi unit, the first unit he went to. Because of that, he was put into protective custody, it was called a shoe unit. So he was locked down 23 hours a day. He's in solitary confinement.

The conditions that he suffered, suffered from during that period of time basically, you know, 22 1/2 months, are more onerous than those imposed on the detainees in Gitmo. That was instrumental, I believe, in getting the president to commute this sentence. DOBBS: David, what are the next legal steps here for Ignacio and for Jose Compean? Do they have recourse? Is there a way to set this obvious, obvious miscarriage of justice right?

BOTSFORD: Lou, I believe so. I'm not going to stop fighting until we get to the bitter end. Currently we have a petition before the Supreme Court of the United States asking the Supreme Court to review the remaining convictions that are still there after the Fifth Circuit vacated or threw out all the convictions on the obstruction of justice. I can't tell you what the Supreme Court's going to do obviously that's an uphill battle. But there are a number of legal issues that will remain after the Supreme Court has resolved the issues that are in front of that, and we will proceed back into federal district court to resolve those remaining issues, as is his right.

DOBBS: David, thank you so much.
Monica, thank you. I know this is a happy, happy day for you, and I just want to, again, compliment you. You've been a fierce warrior for your husband, for your family, and all our best. And our very best as well to Ignacio, that you can deliver in person tonight. I hope you well.

RAMOS: Thank you.
DOBBS: Thank you both. David Botsford thank you. Monica Ramos thank you.

Well, Jose Compean as we reported also released today, serving his sentence in Ohio, traveling back to his Texas home. We wish Jose and his family our very best and we hope to talk with them soon here.

They ought to drag Johnny Satan and his pet judge into court and sue the ever-living crap out of the both of them. Then throw them both in the slammer and let them suffer there, just like they did unjustifiably to Ramos and Compean..now wouldn't that be ironic as all get out!