Thread: TX Lawmakers Issue Plee to Bush to Free Ramos and Compean

Texas lawmakers seek clemency for border agents who shot unarmed Mexican drug smuggler

06:12 PM CST on Thursday, January 15, 2009
By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News
tgillman@dallasnews.com

WASHINGTON — Texas lawmakers issued a near-unanimous plea Thursday for President George W. Bush to free two Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed Mexican drug smuggler.


(photo) AP File 2007
Former U.S. Border Patrol agents Jorge Compean (left) and Ignacio Ramos are serving prison sentences for shooting an unarmed drug smuggler in 2005. Both Texas senators and all but two of 32 House members from Texas signed a letter urging Bush to commute the agents’ sentences before he leaves office Tuesday.

“We appeal to your good reason and sound judgment as fellow Texans,â€

Minuteman Project makes pleas to U.S. Pardon Attorney on behalf of imprisoned border patrol agents Ramos and Compean

Commutation of Sentences Possible - Petition from Citizens Needed by Monday!

The executive director of Jim Gilchrist's Minuteman Project, Inc., Stephen J. Eichler, JD, called the office of the U.S. Pardon Attorney, Ronald Rodgers, in Washington , D.C. to discuss the prospect of a presidential pardon for Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, two border patrol agents who have been imprisoned for the past two years.

"After speaking with a U.S. Pardon Attorney staff coordinator about the serious nature of this matter my call was immediately put through to Mr. Rodgers himself," Eichler said.

The U.S. Pardon Attorney consults directly to the President of the United States with recommendations for the pardoning of prisoners in federal prisons.

Pardons, no? Commutations, yes?

"We had a very frank and open discussion regarding the plight of the two border patrol agents," Eichler said. "During the conversation Rodgers mentioned that agents Ramos and Compean were not eligible for pardons; however, they may be eligible for commutations."

Sign our petition to US Pardon Attorney by Monday!

"Rodgers was very informative and courteous," Eichler continued. "We got right to the point. The truth of the matter is a commutation is a strong position for Ramos Compean to be in. All a pardon does is nullify punishment or stop the legal consequence to a sentence. Apparently, the defendants are not eligible for pardons. However, they may be eligible for a commutation of sentence which would result in a possible reduction of their sentence. It could be very possible that the Pardon Attorney may recommend that their sentences be shown as ‘with time served.' "

"In that scenario the President could commute their sentences and end their jail house nightmare. Rodgers did not indicate what his recommendation to the President would be, but considers the request new to the Pardon office," Eichler added.

The U.S. Pardon Attorney's office added contact information for the Minuteman Project, Inc. and Executive Director Stephen Eichler to its office roster as a contact source for future discussions.

"If our nation is to be heralded as a nation governed by the rule of law, then judicial travesties such as the case with agents Ramos and Compean must also be remedied within the rule of law," Eichler concluded. "That is why we need our members to sign the petition by Monday."

The Minuteman Project president and founder, Jim Gilchrist, had this to say: "Sometimes it is necessary for the tax-paying, law-abiding electorate to rise up in righteous and non-violent indignation and bring our nation back under the rule of law."

"Activist judges and reactionary courts are far too powerful in our judicial system, and they distort any sense of fairness that the public may have in our system of jurisprudence," Gilchrist added.

"I am very encouraged. I have asked Minuteman Project participants to devote almost all of their time to the Ramos and Compean issue. Hopefully, we will reach the heart and reason of the President and they will be freed," Gilchrist concluded. "We need our members to sign the petition by Monday to support our cause."

One of the most influential and passionate supporters for the commutation of the agents has been U.S. Rep Dana Rohrabacher (R-Ca.).

"President Bush still has time to do the right thing and commute wrongly imprisoned Border Agents Ramos and Compean," Rohrabacher said in a statement. "If he doesn't, while at the same time pardoning blatant criminals, then he will be remembered for the personal persecution and values that decision reflects."

Rohrabacher's caveat to President Bush: "Mr. President, don't leave Ramos and Compean behind as you leave the White House."

Despite the encouraging words from Washington about the disposition of the border patrol agents' cases, Rohrabacher appealed to the public to continue the vigil for the freedom of those who have fallen victim to an over-zealous and out-of-control judicial system.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RAMOS AND COMPEAN DEBACLE:

Oswaldo Aldrete-Davila, a Mexican national, illegally entered the United States transporting over 720 pounds of marijuana worth about one million dollars in February of 2004. U.S. Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean confronted Davila at which time he resisted arrest.

The agents reported they saw a shiny object in Aldrete-Davila's hand. Thinking the object was a gun, and following instinctive training, the two agents drew their weapons and opened fire. Aldrete-Davila fled across the border back into Mexico .

One month later, while hiding in Mexico , Aldrete-Davila claimed to have received a bullet fragment in the buttocks during the shootout with the agents. U.S. federal prosecutor Johnny Sutton then initiated the arrest and prosecution of agents Ramos and Compean, essentially culminating in their conviction for the illegal use of a firearm.

The agents are serving 10 and 12 year sentences.

The Minuteman project stands behind the Rule Of Law. Our agents must be set free, but they need your show of support by Monday! President Bush can sign any pardon until noon Tuesday at the swearing in cermony of President Elect Obama.

I am asking every Minuteman, Citizen and patriot to sign our petition today. Tell President Bush to send Ramos and Compean home NOW!


P.S. We will be sending your signed petitions to US Pardon Attorney Ronald Rogers at noon on Monday, January 19. Please sign our petition today to help persuade him to release Ramos and Compean.

Rec'd by email

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... agents.pdf

The letter by the Texas Delegation.

I have to admit, i never thought I would see Sheila Jackson Lee or Eddie Bernice Johnson sign on to this as i seem to remember both of then last year saying they got what they deserved
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Aldrete-Davila was later convicted on U.S. drug charges and is serving 961/27 years in prison.
i think they mean 9 1/2 years

Doggett Contact phone numbers--
Washington DC 202-225-4865
Texas Office 512-916-5921 1-866-916-5921

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Charlie Gonzalez phone numbers---
Washington Office (202)225-3236
San Antonio Office (210)472-6195

http://www.gonzalez.house.gov/index.php ... iew&id=170