House members who want the release of two ex-Border Patrol agents sentenced to more than a decade in prison for shooting a Mexican drug smuggler tried a new tactic to push for clemency in the final days of the Bush administration.
On Wednesday, they called on U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, the federal prosecutor who Bush called a “dear friend,” to recommend that Bush grant commutation. (ALIPAC)
I strongly believe in someone standing for their convictions, but the evidence does not bear out that a criminal "conviction" even be warranted. Standing for what you believe is one thing - failing to admit when you are wrong is completely different.
Even though Sutton stands firmly behind his decision to prosecute the border agents, he readily admits the sentences of 11 & 12 years is too harsh stating...
“The only question, I think a legitimate question is, ‘Is the punishment too harsh?’ I have always said the punishment in this case was too harsh.”
Disagreeing with the sentencing and blaming it on mandatory minimum sentencing, Sutton is now in the position to fix his mistake. Sutton's office and Bush are refusing to comment on the matter. Republican & Democrats in D.C. are getting more vocal in their support for the border agents...
“I believe the reason the president dug his heels in is because he wants to stand by his man,” Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) told CNSNews.com. “Well, his man believes these sentences are totally out of line.”
“This is a disproportionate sentence,” said Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass), adding that the average sentence for manslaughter is three years. “The prosecutor in this case said these were harsh sentences. This is the president’s final opportunity to demonstrate compassion. This is his final opportunity to do it, and I hope he does do it.”
Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) said, “even if you assume” the prosecution was proper, the firearms law that carried the mandatory 10-year-minimum sentence was not intended to apply to law enforcement officers.
Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) recalled that he received a Christmas card from the former border agents’ families.... “Mr. President, you have a few days left,” Jones said. “You are a man of faith. I urge you to get down on your knees and ask the Lord if you should commute the sentences of these men, because I believe he would tell you yes.”
Rev. Miguel Contreras, 53, has worked for ICE, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He is vice president of Christian Alliance Ministries Worldwide and department head of Christian counseling and social work at Northwestern Theological Seminary.
Last month, Contreras announced Obama’s transition team told him he was a candidate for assistant secretary of ICE.
It was then that he decided to write a letter on behalf of the imprisoned agents, the El Paso Times reported. He asked the president to pardon them or reduce their sentences.
They also point out how it would be a stroke of genius if Obama pardoned the agents after being sworn in to office. And I cannot agree more, regardless of who releases Compean & Ramos, these men should not serve another day in jail.
Looks like Obama wont get the chance.
ReplyDeleteHey Ben!
ReplyDeleteYes, I see Bush has finally come to his senses.