Jailed border agents plead for new trial

Running out of options, Ramos, Compean appealing conviction today in federal court

Posted: December 3, 2007 1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Jerome R. Corsi

© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

With their legal options running out, two agents for the U.S. Border Patrol serving jail sentences in connection with the shooting of a Mexican drug smuggler are appealing their convictions today in federal court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans is hearing the appeal of agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, and the three-judge panel will typically issue a decision within four to six weeks of hearing the arguments.

A judgment in favor of Ramos and Compean could reverse their convictions and demand a new trial.

A reversal would be based on legal errors made by the prosecution and/or the judge at the trial court, not on a rehearing of the facts of the case.

If Ramos and Compean should lose the appeal at the U.S. Court of Appeals, the last remaining level of judicial appeal is the U.S. Supreme Court, which may or may not decide to hear the case.