Believe In America.com

butterbean · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Posts: 2271

WASHINGTON - Newly released transcripts from the trial of two Border Patrol agents imprisoned for shooting and wounding a Mexican drug courier shed fresh details on the immunity deal negotiated by U.S. prosecutors to secure the trafficker's testimony.

Osvaldo Aldrete-Davila testified under oath that he had declined to cooperate with U.S. authorities until he was given assurances that he would not be prosecuted for driving a van loaded with 743 pounds of marijuana.

He also acknowledged during the trial last year that he was suing the government for $5 million to compensate for injuries sustained during the shooting incident near the U.S.-Mexican border in far west Texas. The disposition of the case is unclear; Aldrete-Davila's attorney, Walter L. Boyaki of El Paso, has not responded to recent phone calls.

"And you're not going to serve one day in prison for the offenses that you committed on that day?" Aldrete-Davila was asked by a defense attorney for one of the two agents. "Is that correct?"

"No. No, that was the agreement that we made," he responded.

The long-delayed transcripts were posted Tuesday on the Web site of U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton of San Antonio, whose office prosecuted the case. Lawmakers have demanded the transcripts to seek answers about the immunity arrangement and other aspects of the controversial prosecution.

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http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/16690995.htm