VICTORY! The voice of the people was heard!
On his final full day in office, President Bush issued commutations for two former border patrol agents convicted in 2006 of shooting an undocumented immigrant who was smuggling drugs at the time.
The prison sentences of Ignacio Ramos and Joe Compean will now end March 20.
Ramos had received an 11-year prison sentence; Compean had received a 12-year sentence.
“The president has reviewed the circumstances of this case as a whole and the conditions of confinement and believes the sentences they received are too harsh and that they, and their families, have suffered enough for their crimes,” a senior administration official said.
“Commuting their sentences does not diminish the seriousness of their crimes. Ramos and Compean are convicted felons who violated their oaths to uphold the law and have been severely punished,” the official stated.
“This commutation gives them an opportunity to return to their families and communities, but both men will have to carry the burden of being convicted felons and the shame of violating their oaths for the rest of their lives.”
The official noted that both Democratic and Republican members of Congress have supported a commutation, including President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming White House chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, and Texas GOP Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn.
I just knew Bush would do the right thing. I am really glad this will not leave yet more unrest as he prepares to exit the White House.
President Bush, Thank you.
Related: An Open Letter To President Bush
I have watched this saga unfold continuously on the Lou Dobbs show almost weekly for a long time
Thank you President Bush for doing the right and noble thing by commuting their sentences, however I disagree they should carry this on their records for the rest of their lives for simply doing their job against a drug felon
This was a drug dealer who constantly brought drugs across the border
Thank you however for doing the right and noble thing President Bush
Eleanor
Ontario Canada
Comment by Eleanor — 01.19.2009 @ 14:10:04
“undocumented immigrant who was smuggling drugs”
- such a shame to read these lines! What should border patrol agents do, to help this “immigrant” to find local drug dealer to make some profits?
Comment by outrage — 01.19.2009 @ 14:19:32
They should have NEVER been held for shooting an illegal alien in the azz.
Comment by mike — 01.19.2009 @ 15:29:21
The agents shot a unarmed man in the back and tried to cover it up. You think freeing them was the right thing to do?
Comment by differ — 01.19.2009 @ 15:50:24
I am so glad he did it, but I wish they would have received a pardon. Their crime was falsifying a report - not assault. They should have received something like a few weeks suspension without pay or something - but not jail time.
Comment by Phil — 01.19.2009 @ 15:53:18