Thread: CO DA Calls for Silence on Extradition Issue

http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state ... 55,00.html

DA calls for silence on extradition issue
Morrissey says remarks by Colorado politicians are jeopardizing talks

By M.E. Sprengelmeyer and Fernando Quintero, Rocky Mountain News
June 16, 2005

WASHINGTON - An angry Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey told Colorado's congressional delegation Wednesday to butt out of his efforts to extradite a suspected cop-killer from Mexico, saying their public comments are jeopardizing negotiations.

In a letter to the state's U.S. senators and representatives, Morrissey said he had "serious concerns" that statements from unidentified "Washington politicians" were hurting efforts to bring back Raul Gomez-Garcia, who is being held in a Mexico City jail on suspicion of killing Denver police Detective Donald Young.

"Comments that appear disrespectful of Mexican law or appear to be attempts to pressure Mexican officials in some way are not helpful," Morrissey wrote.

"Indeed, such comments may get in the way of the positive working relationship I am trying to establish as I prepare to formally request extradition for this defendant."

Several lawmakers have spoken on the case, and the letter did not refer to any specific comments, but it was released on the same day the Rocky Mountain News reported that Rep. Bob Beauprez, R-Arvada, was preparing legislation that threatens to block $66 million in aid for Mexico because it will not extradite its citizens if they could face the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of parole.

Morrissey's office was asked for a comment on Beauprez's bill and remarks. DA spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough declined, but said her boss had written to the delegation and provided a copy of the letter.

The Morrissey letter capped a day of intense criticism aimed at Beauprez, who is considering a run for governor in 2006.

In a Tuesday interview, he was asked about reports that it could take one to three years to decide Gomez-Garcia's extradition case. Beauprez told the News: "I've vacationed in Mexico before. I know exactly what 'Mexican time' is."

State Democrats seized on the comment, calling it an insensitive, ethnic slur.

"Stereotypes and slurs don't represent Colorado values," said Rutt Bridges, a Democrat who is also considering the governor's race in 2006.

State Democratic Party chairwoman Pat Waak, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Latin America, said: "If he (Beauprez) spent a little less time in vacation resorts and started looking at the communities that are struggling for survival down there, he might have a different attitude about foreign assistance that's being provided by the (U.S.) government."

The slain detective's wife, Kelly Young, said Wednesday she hoped the case would bring about needed changes in extradition procedures.

When asked about Beauprez's rhetoric, she said: "Negativity could hurt this case. I'm trying to focus on the positive."

Wednesday afternoon, Beauprez apologized for part of his remarks in a brief statement issued by press secretary Jordan Stoick.

"The congressman regrets his poor choice of words and offers a sincere apology to anyone who was offended," Stoick said. "He will continue to fight to see that cop killers are not able to delay and avoid justice by fleeing the country. That is what he intended to convey in the interview and it is unfortunate that political opportunists would attempt to twist this -into something it clearly is not."

Gomez-Garcia was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Young and attempted first-degree murder of Denver police Detective John "Jack" Bishop. They were working off-duty but in uniform at a baptism party May 8 when they were shot.

Morrissey has been working with federal officials to begin the formal process of requesting extradition for Gomez-Garcia. In consultation with Mexican officials, he altered the charges so the potential sentence would not include the death penalty or mandatory life imprisonment.

"Each time comments about the case, Mexican law, extradition or related issues are made through the media, I must divert my attention from preparing the extradition documents to contacting officials from Mexico and the U.S. Department of Justice to assure them that I am not a part of any political statements being made by Washington politicians," Morrissey wrote.

"Each time comments are made, there is an assessment of how those comments may have damaged my ability to successfully request extradition in this case."

In Denver, Mexican Consul General Juan Marcos Gutierrez Gonzalez downplayed the political rhetoric on the case.

"His case is not ruled by declarations in the press, but by the laws and international treaties in place," Gonzalez said. "Moreover, we don't see a conflict between the apprehension and prosecution of Mr. Gomez- Garcia. Up until now, we believe the cooperation between the United States and Mexico has been a story of success."

Still, Gonzalez said Beauprez's "Mexican time" quip was off-base.

"I don't think (Beauprez) should call it 'Mexican time.' It's legal time," he said.

Beauprez is not the only Colorado politician who has spoken out about the case.

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Littleton, has used the case in his call for tougher enforcement of immigration laws, and he has publicly sparred with Denver officials over what he claims is a policy of sanctuary that coddles illegal immigrants.

U.S. Sens. Ken Salazar, D-Denver, and Wayne Allard, R-Loveland, both have spoken with Mexican officials in an effort to speed up the extradition process.

"It's the issue with a bright light, and politicians go to the light," said political analyst Floyd Ciruli.

Ciruli said there are major political ramifications for Beauprez in taking such a high-profile, outspoken role in the case.

"It's a hot social issue, which is the sort of thing that's a wedge issue and can clearly separate candidates in a Republican primary" for governor, Ciruli said, referring to illegal immigration in general.

"The downside is that you have to be careful with it," he said. "It's a polarizing issue, and if you get into a general election, our reputation here (in Colorado) is not to elect extremists statewide."

Extradition fight

Since early June, members of the Colorado congressional delegation have pressed for the return of suspected cop-killer Raul Gomez-Garcia to the U.S.

• June 6: Sen. Wayne Allard asks Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to intervene with Mexico in the extradition.

• June 7: Sen. Ken Salazar tells the attorney general of Mexico that an exception should be made to Mexico's extradition laws in order to bring Gomez-Garcia back to the U.S.

• June 8: Rep. Tom Tancredo introduces an amendment that would open negotiations with Mexico to change its extradition laws.

• June 13: Mexico's ambassador tells Allard it could take one to three years to make a decision on returning Gomez-Garcia.

• June 14: Rep. Bob Beauprez proposes a bill to block foreign aid to Mexico and other countries that won't hand over accused cop-killers.

This D.A. telling the politicians to back off is like a rifle company telling the Air Force in the middle of a heated fire fight that they don't need air support and to get the hell away!

I think he may suffer from a bit of myopia.