Thread: KFOX: Bush says BP Agents could be pardoned

http://link.toolbot.com/the-dispatch.com/56204

January 20. 2007 1:00PM

Bush Comments on Agents Who Shot Suspected Drug Dealer

RACHEL L. SWARNS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19 — President Bush waded this week into the furor surrounding two former border patrol agents who were each convicted and sentenced to more than a decade in prison in the shooting of a suspected Mexican drug dealer in Texas.

The case has become something of a cause among some advocates for tougher border security, who argue that the agents should be pardoned because they were doing their jobs in 2005 when they fired on the man, an assertion that has been contested by the federal prosecutors overseeing the case.

In an interview with KFOX-TV in El Paso, Mr. Bush was asked on Thursday whether he would consider a pardon for the two former agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, who began serving their federal prison sentences of 11 years and 12 years respectively this week.

“There are standards that need to be met in law enforcement, and according to a jury of their peers, these officers violated some standards,” Mr. Bush said. “On this case, people need to take a hard look at the facts, at the evidence that the jury looked at, as well as a judge. And that’s — I will do the same thing.”

“Now, there’s a process for pardons,” he continued. “I mean, it’s got to work its way through a system here in government. But I just want people to take a sober look at the reality. It’s a case, as you said, it’s got a lot of emotions.”

Some interpreted Mr. Bush’s remarks to imply that he would consider a pardon for the two men. But Justice Department officials said on Friday that the two men were ineligible for consideration of a pardon at this time.

Requests for pardons, which are screened by the Justice Department before being considered by the White House, are not considered until at least five years after a petitioner has been convicted or released from jail or prison, according to the department’s guidelines.

A commutation of sentence, which reduces the period of incarceration, is not generally considered for people who are appealing their convictions, the guidelines said.

The two former agents have said they will appeal their convictions.

Johnny Sutton, the United States attorney who oversaw prosecution of the case, , dismissed the idea that the two men were simply doing their jobs or defending themselves. During their trial, the agents said they had scuffled with the suspected drug dealer, who they believed had a gun, before firing at him.

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Mr. Sutton said in a statement last week, noting that the two men did not report the shooting to their superiors.

“These agents shot someone who they knew to be unarmed and running away,” Mr. Sutton said. “They destroyed evidence, covered up a crime scene and then filed false reports about what happened. It is shocking that there are people who believe it is O.K. for agents to shoot an unarmed suspect who is running away.”

Some of us don`t register a party, but VOTE the ISSUE.

To take this a step farther, some of us VOTE ON MANY ISSUES, with immigration being at the top of the list. Given this, I never understood how people could allow themselves to be locked into voting with one or the other party, or to be told by a party what position to take on a particular issue. Things are just far too complicated. And, as we've all come to realize, many if not most in both parties are controlled by corporate and special interests and are not looking out for the interests of the majority of Americans.

Kate wrote:

And, as we've all come to realize, many if not most in both parties are controlled by corporate and special interests and are not looking out for the interests of the majority of Americans.

So true Kate, both parties are full of politicians on the gravy train and they could care less if we like it or not...or what we think at all for that matter. In my opinion, our loyalty has to be first to America in times like these and not a political party. These politician's loyalty is obviously not to us or what is best for America.