I have not written about the Ramos and Compean case for several reasons. Now that their sentences have been commuted, I've decided to write one post about it, just one, then I will not mention it again.I do not have a problem with the commutation of the sentences of Ramos and Compean. They were charged for a crime they committed. A jury of their peers found them guilty. The judge imposed the mandatory sentence he was required by law to impose. I agree the mandatory sentence was too long. The sentence was commuted by President Bush, not overturned. Justice has been served.
I do believe these 2 Latino Border Patrol agents were USED by the ANTI Immigration Reform zealots, especially Dobbs and Hannity (to build their ratings), the Border Patrol and by the Administration.
I doubt Compean, Ramos and their families know it and blame the PRO Immigration Reformers for their plight, even though most of us have not even mentioned it.
The trial testimony is clear. Both Compean and Ramos abused their power, shot an unarmed suspect, then tried to cover up their crime. Even the more sane of the ANTIs agree (see ANTI Ultima's blog about this story). A jury of their peers found them guilty. Because they would not plea and admit their wrongdoings, most likely due to the cheering-on by the ANTI advocates, the judge was forced to impose the mandatory sentences applicable for this crime. All of the ANTI rhetoric about the suspect being a drug dealer is a moot point since it was not until after the BPs shot at the unarmed suspect and after the coverup, that it was found there were drugs (marijuana) in the car.
What bothers me is, what kind of trained BP agent shoots at an unarmed suspect when they have no probable cause? (the suspect had their hands up and was trying to give up) What kind of trained BP agents are taught they can get away with a coverup? Is this behavior condoned? Are these the type of behaviors that are status quo and covered up? They shouldn't be. This clearly is a training and process issue for the BP and ICE. It reminds me of the Rodney King incident or the crimes in NY where the police used their batons to sexually abuse suspects. Or what happened in Abu Ghraib. It is clear the BP has to change their ways.
What bothers me most of all is the right wing, shock jock media, including and especially Dobbs, Limbaugh and Hannity. They truly exploited the Compean and Ramos families. Were the agents convinced by the shock jocks that they should NOT Accept a plea bargain? This could have been done and over long ago!
I recall seeing on the alipac website, the link to the Compean family's website. They begged that donations go right to the family's bank account because those sent to the MM accounts never reached their account.
I cry for the Campeon and Ramos families and their children. Their families, their children, do not deserve this mess. They were put on the front burners by the Right Wing Shock Jock zealots, by the media and by the BP leaders (Administration)! They made them their cause celibre. Now, I predict, they will abandon them!
I am glad this over over, the sentences commuted and the fathers' at home.
Perhaps now, the healing for their families can begin.
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