No Pardon for Billy the Kid

[alp227]

Source: The New York Times

PHOENIX — Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico announced Friday that he would not pardon Billy the Kid, prompting a sigh of relief from descendants of the sheriff who killed the Old West outlaw as well as the frontier governor who appeared to hold out the possibility of clemency about a century ago.

Interviewed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” on his final day in office, Mr. Richardson said that he decided against absolving the Kid for some of his past crimes, an issue that had fascinated him throughout his two terms as governor, because the historical record was too hazy.

Historical documents show that Lew Wallace, the former territorial governor, held out the possibility of a deal if the Kid testified before a grand jury about a killing he had witnessed. Billy the Kid did testify, but the proposed pardon never happened, something the outlaw grumbled about as he managed to escape the law, get caught and then escape again, only to be gunned down in the dark by a frontier lawman in 1881.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/01/us/01billy.html

[SpiralHawk]

1. Little known fact: Lew Wallace wrote Ben Hur

Another little known fact: Cliff Clavin is a small-minded RW A-hole.

[Quixote1818]

2. I have listened to severall Historians on this. Most actually think he should be pardoned

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/nm-lincolncountywar.html

Most Historians actually think he should have been pardoned along with most everyone else in the Lincoln County Wars who were pardoned by Wallace. Murphy and Dolan were absolute scum who killed Tunstall (Billy's boss) in cold blood starting the Lincoln County Cattle Wars. This was done because they had a monopoly in the area and were controlling pricing etc. Tunstall moved in and started to compete with Murphy / Dolan which pissed them off and so they had Tunstall murdered. Billy and several others who worked for Tunstall simply retaliated. Both sides were deputized only the corrupt Murphy / Dolan side had the power, money and politicians behind them. The New Mexico Territory was a corrupt lawless mess that was basically every man for himself. Billy clearly wasn't perfect but he was simply trying to avenge the death of his innocent boss because the corrupt law and politicians weren't going to do it. Billy was a cattle rustler however, he stole cattle and horses from the likes of cattle barons John Chisum and Joseph Lea. Chisum was originally on the side of Billy and Tunstall.

[No Elephants]

3. If I paid taxes in NM or Florida, I'd be very annoyed this year.

Seriously, folks? Unemployment, the economy, the environment and on and on--and we're wasting brain cells and time on whether to pardon Morrison or James? Really?

[Quixote1818]

4. It's actually great publicity for New Mexico and will bring tourism bucks. nt

[No Elephants]

8. Maybe. Or maybe not.

[lynne]

5. Total waste of time, energy and tax dollars -

- the man was a killer. He's been dead over 100 years. A pardon makes NO DIFFERENCE to him or to history.

[The abyss]

6. The Lincoln county war is a great study! Recommend

It is a history of territorial politics combined with federal desires and local power.

In my opinion the "kid" would never have capped those "deputies" if his agreement with Wallace had been honored.

Excellent history lesson here. I strongly suggest researching and studying everything written by the researchers funded during the Federal Writers' Project (FWP)

One of the Coe brothers (cousins?) also did a self published work in the 1930s. Frank or George (can't remember which) had obviously found Jesus and written his account of those years. Great read, considering ....

Thanks for posting this story!

[RSillsbee]

7. Some how I don't think Billy cares much one way or the other NT

[LeftishBrit]

9. A bit late now, anyway.

[DeadEyeDyck]

10. Who BTK ever honw?

[Supply Side Jesus]

11. let Billy rot

no sympathies for killers