Time running out for Billy the Kid (1 Viewer)

[trooper]

A website set up by Governor Bill Richardson's office in New Mexico has been receiving Emails regarding the possibility of granting a posthumous pardon for the famed outlaw Billy Bonney aka Henry McArty aka Billy the Kid. Some 809 responses revealed 430 were in favour of a pardon and 379 were against. Governor Richardson's term of office ends on Friday and, so far, no decision has been made as whether he will or won't issue the pardon. His successor, Ms Susana Martinez, has expressed her lack of interest in the matter, stating that there are more important things to be considered. so Friday is the deadline for the Kid. Ironically this is the second time that the Kid has been waiting for a deadline pardon. During the Lincoln County War he was promised a pardon by Governor Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur, in exchange for turning State's evidence. A promise that Wallace reneged on
leaving the Kid awaiting the gallows. He managed to turn the tables on his jailers, killing both deputies, and escaped only to be hunted down and killed by Pat Garret. Now we wait to see if his pardon goes through.

 

[Rob]

Very interesting Alan, I don't know his history in depth but wasn't he suspected of other murders too, I thought I read somewhere his first killing was of an ex slave who the kid objected to riding a horse down the main St of his town? I may be wrong there. I've a feeling the new governor may be right here, time to move on perhaps.

Rob

 

[trooper]

There are so many theories and stories about Billy that it is hard to discern where truth ends and legend begins, however, the initial pardon by Lew Wallace was only for events prior to the trial, as two deputies were killed in the escape he would have been wanted for their deaths anyway. So what the present effort hopes to achieve is pretty pointless. If the original pardon is upheld then he was still responsible for two unpardonable deaths or, if the present governor makes it a clear pardon then he, the governor, is condoning those deaths. A situation I would think best avoided.

 

[lancer]

This seems a pointless exercise. The Kid was a killer and that is undisputed. With all the "fog" around the actual facts, it is known that he was responsible for several deaths in his lifetime. Why pardon him? He is beyond caring and the new governor is correct that there are other things to take care of. -- Al

 

[Rob]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12097794

Rob

 

[nmrocks]

Being here in New Mexico I can tell you only people with the flimsyest of ethics and sense of morality, like Bill Richardson think this is a good idea. Heck even the family members are against it!
Ray

 

[damian]

Sounds like a publicity stunt by either a lawyer or politician.

 

[jazzeum]

I didn't get the sense that Governor Richardson was for it, just that he put it out there for input. Can't see what's wrong with that. Ultimately, he made the right decision.

 

[Mitch]

I am slightly lost as to why with all the problems facing modern society why this really is taking up column inches and supposedly important people's time.
Mitch

 

[PJDeluhery]

I am slightly lost as to why with all the problems facing modern society why this really is taking up column inches and supposedly important people's time.
Mitch

I'm with you, Mitch. Somehow, I don't Billy is concerned about a pardon; nor will it do him any good. Just ask Jim Morrison!

 

[jazzeum]

Morrison received a pardon a few weeks back but frankly he didn't need it because he didn't do anything. As a matter of fact, the Doors and Morrison's family have called on the City of Miami and the State of Florida to apologize, and they should.

Just listening to Doors at Felt Forum, six cd set put out by Rhino last year. Recommended.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I am slightly lost as to why with all the problems facing modern society why this really is taking up column inches and supposedly important people's time.
Mitch

I with you on this a complete waste of time and resources.

 

[tdubel]

A website set up by Governor Bill Richardson's office in New Mexico has been receiving Emails regarding the possibility of granting a posthumous pardon for the famed outlaw Billy Bonney aka Henry McArty aka Billy the Kid. Some 809 responses revealed 430 were in favour of a pardon and 379 were against. Governor Richardson's term of office ends on Friday and, so far, no decision has been made as whether he will or won't issue the pardon. His successor, Ms Susana Martinez, has expressed her lack of interest in the matter, stating that there are more important things to be considered. so Friday is the deadline for the Kid. Ironically this is the second time that the Kid has been waiting for a deadline pardon. During the Lincoln County War he was promised a pardon by Governor Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur, in exchange for turning State's evidence. A promise that Wallace reneged on
leaving the Kid awaiting the gallows. He managed to turn the tables on his jailers, killing both deputies, and escaped only to be hunted down and killed by Pat Garret. Now we wait to see if his pardon goes through.

Now that this is all moot, Billy's legend/facts are quite interesting. Was he really an outlaw? The Lincoln County wars were fought by outlaws on both sides, it seems like the winner became just and the losers became an outlaw? Billy was an opportunist and certainly was an outlaw after. What about Pat Garret? He basically hunted down his former friend for fame and fortune that came with it. To me, the lines were very blurred regarding who was an outlaw and who wasn't in the Old West.

In any regard, it sure is an interesting time period to study and one of the most difficult to figure out who were the good guys and who were the bad. Take a look at our outpost ARmy of the time, were they good or bad???

TD

 

[tdubel]

Very interesting Alan, I don't know his history in depth but wasn't he suspected of other murders too, I thought I read somewhere his first killing was of an ex slave who the kid objected to riding a horse down the main St of his town? I may be wrong there. I've a feeling the new governor may be right here, time to move on perhaps.

Rob

Rob,
in all the material I have read on Billy, i have never come across this type of murder. Most of his murders were in an era related to the Lincoln County Cattle wars. (Not sure if they should even be murders, if he was the one who was shot, he would have been "murdered"). That said, he definitely killed 2 deputies while escaping.

Tom