U.S. Border agents shoot drug runner, get 12 years each

[mikesilvia]

It is stories like this that anger me! This scumbag is shot carrying $1 million marijuana, get immunity for testifying and is now suing the US for $4 million!

Compean and Ramos were convicted by a jury last March of violating the civil rights of Davila when they shot him on Feb. 17, 2005, in Fabens, Texas, about 30 miles east of El Paso, then tampering with evidence by picking up shell casings from the shooting.
The ex-agents say Davila had a gun, and that's why they fired at him, but a gun was never found.
In exchange for his testimony against the two agents, Davila was granted immunity from prosecution by the U.S. government for attempting to smuggle nearly 750 pounds of marijuana — which had a street value of more than $1 million — into the United States on the day he was shot. He was treated in a U.S. hospital and is now suing the federal government for $5 million, Poe said.
"It's just an absurd case," Poe said Wednesday. "There's something weird about our government being so interested in making sure these two border guards go to prison. We hope to get to the bottom of what this is all about."

It is things like this that make me want to move to Australia!
This man broke the law coming into the country illegally, brought across $1 million in drugs and is the victim? Then he gets to sue the U.S. for $4 million and get immunity? So, if you are committing a crime, but a crime goes against you, you are absolved of all offenses and deserve $4 million? This is not the country that I decided to join the military to defend.
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[abnascar22]

It's just too bad that the agent didn't shoot the guy dead. Would've avoided the whole lawsuit and another criminal gone from atleast two countries.

Alex

[4xchamp24]

I remember hearing about this story about 2 months ago...too bad he didn't actually kill that illegal, then maybe his 12 years in jail may have meant somethin

He was treated in a U.S. hospital and is now suing the federal government for $5 million, Poe said.

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so we have to use our taxes for him to use our facilites, then he sues us back


I wouldn't be surprised if they give him his pot back too

[abnascar22]

I wouldn't be surprised if they give him his pot back too

Nah, the DEA and police keep that for their own personal use. lol.

Alex

[Will]

I firmly believe when it comes to big money cases like this and frivalous?SP? lawsuits, there should be several judge type panels that decide wether or not theres reason to let a case go through.

[mikesilvia]

I firmly believe when it comes to big money cases like this and frivalous?SP? lawsuits, there should be several judge type panels that decide wether or not theres reason to let a case go through.

Will, I am for the winner takes all.

All of these lawyers filing these cases are rich. I would say the lawyer must put up equal amounts of money that they are going for. In this case, the lawyer would have to put up $5 million. If he loses the case the $5 million goes into a pot to pay the state's future court losses.

This will make sure that lawyers have a solid case before filing.

Think of it like poker. There is a common rule if you have an average hand but your opponent plays weak. If the pot is $800, raise $200. That gives you a 4-1 one risk-reward. If you lose the $200 it is no big deal, if you win the $800 you quadrupled your money. People in weak positions will fold.

In this case the $200 represents the lawyers cost and the $800 represents the booty except the ratio is more like $15,000 (the lawyer's cost) to $6 million (the prize money).

And America wants to vote in lawyers like Hillary Clinton and John Edwards?

Make the lawyer put up $6 million and you will never hear about these frivolous cases.

Mike

[chljoe]

I do not agree with putting up cash when seeking damages, it just doesn't make sense. With regard to the case, it sounds like both parties were at fault. The drug runner, for obvious reasons, and the agents who are said to have tampered with evidence and failing to report the incident. I think the lawsuit is ridiculous and will hopefully be thrown out.

[snowkat]

I think the key part you are missing is this:

violating the civil rights of Davila when they shot him on Feb. 17, 2005, in Fabens, Texas, about 30 miles east of El Paso, then tampering with evidence by picking up shell casings from the shooting.


The issue is that the agents were attempting to circumvent justice and make mockery of the system they are in place to protect, then there is reason for a lawsuit. Do I think that the guy shot should get $4M?: no, but the lawsuit is brought to bring the issue the attention it deserves.

[hagansp]

I motion for a law stating anyone on the Mexican border patrol has the right to shoot illegal immigrants! drugs or not drugs...

ok so maybe a little harsh...but maybe it would send a message that were not just gonna let it continue.

[chljoe]

I motion for a law stating anyone on the Mexican border patrol has the right to shoot illegal immigrants! drugs or not drugs...

ok so maybe a little harsh...but maybe it would send a message that were not just gonna let it continue.

Yeah, because that would solve the problem.