Pardon Watch: Those two Border Patrol guys just got their sentences commuted, reports MSNBC

No pardons ...... just commuted sentences. They will be released to supervised probation (parole?) in March.

I heard this live, so no link from me.

If you need a link try this: http://www.google.com/

Below, some background on the case from the AP:

They were convicted of shooting admitted drug smuggler Osvaldo Aldrete Davila in the buttocks as he fled across the Rio Grande, away from an abandoned van load of marijuana. The border agents argued during their trials that they believed the smuggler was armed and that they shot him in self defense. The prosecutor in the case said there was no evidence linking the smuggler to the van of marijuana. The prosecutor also said the border agents didn't report the shooting and tampered with evidence by picking up several spent shell casings.

The agents were fired after their convictions on several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and with serious bodily injury, violation of civil rights and obstruction of justice. All their convictions, except obstruction of justice, were upheld on appeal.

But allies of Ramos and Compean, including the union representing border patrol agents, considered it outrageous that Sutton had invoked a law that boosts sentences when a suspect uses a gun in commission of another crime – a law they say was never meant to apply to police or federal agents whose jobs require them to be armed.

At last count, 152 House members from both parties had signed a resolution calling on Bush to pardon the agents or commute their sentences.

that would apply to....

disregard

and two years in jail?

Running away from these border guards brandishing what they thought was a weapon.

they murdered no one. In fact, the guy was only lightly wounded with a shot to the buttocks. The conviction which will stand, was right on, but their sentences were too harsh.

state that they deserved what they got.

24 months in jail, right? Many, rightfully so get much more than 11 years.

of more than a decade were excessive.

:sarcasm:

not too many people die from a shot to the ass. What they did was wrong, but it sure as hell wasn't murder.

I find it hard to believe, but....

The White House has until noon Tuesday, when President-elect Barack Obama is to be sworn in, to grant any more clemency requests. But White House press secretary said Monday's commutations will be Bush's last acts of clemency.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/19/bush-commutes-sentences-border-patrol-agents/

his whole administration pre-emptively.

Then no one will be able to say "I told you he would do that!"

He finally has a record he can stand on. :eyes:

nt