Yesterday’s 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision to uphold the Ramos and Compean convictions is just not right. Law Enforcement should not be punished for trying to do an honest job. They put their lives at risk and are required to make important split-second decisions on a daily basis. It’s a lot of responsibility without proportionate support. And since we’re only human here, we might not always do what’s best – But does it really make sense to send these two to prison for (10) years? The answer is definitely NO.
What’s the real story here? Who is being protected? It’s certainly not American citizens. We need to allow Law Enforcement to protect all those living here and simply enforce the laws. It appears that enforcing laws has become an arbitrary or politically motivated practice. They’re selectively being applied when there’s something to be gained by a certain party or lobbying group, not for the benefit of the American population as a whole.
Why are we seeing so many gray areas in Law Enforcement? The law is the law. Either something is illegal, or it’s not. We need to allow those who choose a Law Enforcement career to do their job, without the fear of unfair prosecution or political scrutiny – Otherwise, who is going to want the position? I certainly wouldn’t.
The decision to prosecute Ramos and Compean, the withholding of important information during trial, and the upholding of these bad decisions effect all our safety, but most specifically here – The Ramos and Compean families who are unjustly hurting tremendously. Why are we protecting the Mexican drug cartel? Come on now. We need to speak out or we’re just going to lose more – I’m happy that KFI cares.
http://www.kfiam640.com/main.html
If you wish to donate money to the families, please access the link below.
http://www.nbpc.net/?cat=10
July 30, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Why is everyone so outraged over this decision, the Government prosecutes everyone the same way, prosecution by ambush, no it’s a fair trial by any means, but I don’t remember any one whining when John Gottis lawyer was pulled, by naming him as an unindited coconspirator, or when a person in California was sentenced to life in prison for stealing a golf club under 3 strikes law.
Please remember that Ramos & Compean tried to cover up their mistakes and didn’t report the shoot out.
Why should they be treated any different than all the rest of us, every is Ok when the Government overreaches the law (like in the California case mentioned above) they did the same with Ramos & Compean by charging them with using a firearm while committing a felony, thats the law and it applies to everyone, cut & dry.
Jonny Sutton only did what he was trained to do.
Even the ruler must follow the rules.
July 31, 2008 at 2:44 am
The argument in the previous comment is flawed. So if we didn’t whine about John Gotti and/or other unjust prosecutions, we shouldn’t whine about any future unfairness? That doesn’t make sense. Ten years is just ridiculous.
August 13, 2008 at 8:51 am
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
August 27, 2008 at 4:34 am
My first time EVER to write ever to blog/ opinion/ etc. . .
Everyone’s FEELINGS about this case does NOT matter – ANALYZE, instead. A JURY of 12 unanimously convicted – Ramos, Compean, OJ, (David) Olofson, etc. etc. etc.
Don’t be a hypocrite and/or inconsistant; if you’re going to complain about one jury verdict, complain about the others, too. You can’t pick and choose, just because you don’t like the verdict/result – that’s not honest.
As to Ramos/Compean, the jury did not believe them – PERIOD! Did the drug smuggler (known to the jury already, he was the van driver) saying he had no weapon really matter to the jury? They’re either gonna believe the agents or not regarding the gun issue.
Additionally, regarding the evidence kept out about the October drug shipment: the COURT ruled and kept it out, not Sutton’s fault. THE JUDGE RULED ON IT. If anything, it’s the judge’s fault for so ruling. And, the appellate court did not overturn the judge on that point. If anything, blame the courts, NOT SUTTON. Sutton applied the law rightfully to these agents. To all those out there – THE TWELVE JURORS DISAGREE WITH YOU!!! Remember how everyone screams about “having their day in court”, “rush to judgment”, “he hasn’t been convicted of anything”, etc.? Well, Ramos/Compean got all that. Too bad you all don’t like the results – so the unanimous jury verdict is somehow not good enough anymore? But, everyone will agree with this statement, “how else are we going to try the agents, except by 12 jurors?” Well, the agents got their 12 jurors, right?
I personally think that the sentence is at least somewhat disproportionate, especially since no death or lifelong disability or the like. But, there’s a whole lot about the law and justice system I don’t like.
One hint: if you want to attack this conviction/sentence, blame the law of 924(c), but the law is the law. Blame your legislator(s). Blame the law. Blame the sys
All in all, there’s nothing one can fairly analyze about this case ALONE that is unjust. Remember, you cannot cherry pick which jury convictions you like and don’t like – they all came from 12 unanimous jurors!