Border Patrol Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean have very few options at this point to get them released from prison. A presidential pardon or commutation of their sentences are two of the greatest chances and there is hope that President Bush will finally do the right thing and release them before his term is over.
However the days are getting short and President Bush's actions to this point in their case has been abysmal. My hopes in him doing so are very slim.
The other option in the end is to take this to the Supreme Court. That would take years and in the meantime these law enforcement officers will remain in prison in solitary confinement. All for doing their job.
The two agent's case for commutation is now under review by US Pardon Attorney, Donald Rodgers, at the US Department of Justice on whether they will recommend a commutation to the president. In the end it is the president's decision though no matter what the DOJ recommends. The White House says they don't comment on pending decisions for pardons and commutations.
CAPS
Both the House and Senate have held hearings investigating the prosecution of the agents, and numerous members of Congress have called on President George W. Bush to either pardon the two men or commute their sentences. Given the time served, attorneys are requesting commutation.
“I’m asking for a commutation, because he has already served the sentence on all counts of conviction except for the gun count,” Ramos’s attorney David Botsford told CNSNews.com.
Botsford refuted media reports that the commutation requests were denied.
“They suspended the processing of the commutation petition because of the re-sentencing,” he said. “I don’t think that was necessarily appropriate, but I notified them (the Office of Pardon Attorney) as soon as the re-sentencing was over, asking them to reinstate the commutation process. It’s my understanding they’re going to do that.”
Tara Setmayer, spokesman for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), one of the most outspoken advocates for freeing the agents, also confirmed Tuesday that the Office of Pardon Attorney was reviewing the case.
Botsford said he does not know how long the process will take, or even if it will be decided while Bush is still president.
“It should be pretty simple,” Botsford said. “I don’t have the faintest idea how long it’s going to take for them to process.”
Tipped by: Patriot Robin
Ramos and Compean will never be released from prison until the statue of limitations expire which would allow Sutton, Cardone, Gonzalez, and GWB to be prosecuted for conspiracy and other charges surrounding this case.
Our military is authorized to "shoot to kill" those crossing the border into Iraq. The same should apply to the border agents re those crossing our southern border. The protection provided by our military to the Iraqis should be no less than that provided to Americans.
Posted by: Kathleen on November 20, 2008 10:11 AM
"Shoot to Kill"? I was in the Military, and in 20 years, Shoot to Kill, was only in the movies, or from some one who did not know their ass, from a hole in the ground. "Your life has to be in immediate danger". Even then, it is a nightmare for the shooter. How many Mexicans are binging explosives and weapons, INTO the U.S.A. ? Just people, dope , and we are only to glad to but it!!!!
Posted by: Jack D. Ripper on November 21, 2008 08:49 AM
This case has been absolutely disgusting from the very beginning. Pres. Bush has not had the guts to do anything to help these men. If anyone should be in jail, it should be the drug dealer and Johnny Sutton. He seems to forget whose side he is supposed to be on, as in the U.S.
Barb
Posted by: bhayes on December 13, 2008 12:49 PM
These agents abused their power and were found guilty by the jury. We cannot have agents shooting paople, not reporting it, and covering it up.I agree with jack that comparing the Iraq situation and the U.S. border is way out there. The military has rules of engagement and they are the military(not intended or trained for domestic issues). Our domestic law enforcement agents need to follow American law and not let emotion get in the way of reason.
Posted by: oscar on December 27, 2008 07:31 AM
