Monday, January 19, 2009

Bush commutes border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean's sentences

On his last day in office President Bush commuted the ten year sentences of border agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. They will be released in March. Many people were hoping they would receive a pardon. They were convicted by a jury for shooting a drug smuggler. If you shot a drug smuggler in the butt, where I live, you wouldn't get a prison sentence. One of your relatives would take you to a Cracker Barrel for a celebratory meal.
Bush commutes sentences of former US border agents
Jan 19 01:09 PM US/Eastern
By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - In his final acts of clemency, President George W. Bush on Monday commuted the prison sentences of two former U.S. Border Patrol agents whose convictions for shooting a Mexican drug dealer ignited fierce debate about illegal immigration.

Bush's decision to commute the sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who tried to cover up the shooting, was welcomed by both Republican and Democratic members of Congress. They had long argued that the agents were merely doing their jobs, defending the American border against criminals. They also maintained that the more than 10-year prison sentences the pair was given were too harsh. Excerpted from breitbart.com

2 comments:

jeanniejo said...

Well, I was hoping for full pardons for both. I am just thankful they can be home with their families. Other border patrol agents have probably been reluctant to do their jobs as forcefully since this occurred. This incident would tend to create second thoughts in many.

Ray said...

Thank the good lord above redneck although Bush was late on this at least they're out and can return to their loving gfamilies. I've donated money to their families and hopefully many other Americans thank them for their service by helping them any way they can.