Clemency sought for Border Patrol agents who shot smuggler

Dallas Morning News
April 23, 2008

 

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Cornyn is again calling for presidential clemency in the case of two Border Patrol agents convicted of shooting a Mexican drug smuggler.

The Texas Republican, joined by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., sent a letter to President Bush on Monday, urging him to commute the sentences of former agents Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos, who are serving terms of 12 and 11 years.

The two were convicted last year of shooting Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila and attempting to cover up the shooting. Mr. Aldrete-Davila pleaded guilty to federal drug smuggling charges last week.

Mr. Aldrete-Davila "admitted transporting two loads of marijuana both over 740 pounds valued at approximately $1 million each," the senators wrote. "What is even more startling is that Mr. Aldrete-Davila could end up serving less prison time than Agents Ramos and Compean."

The White House referred inquiries to the Justice Department; a spokesman there said neither Mr. Compean nor Mr. Ramos has filed a clemency petition.

Mr. Ramos and Mr. Compean have appealed their conviction to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and are awaiting a ruling. Justice Department guidelines for clemency petitions say that requests are generally not accepted from people who have ongoing appeals.