Border agents, whose sentences were commuted by President Bush, released from prison

CNN provide this update on the latest development in an oft-blogged case involving two former federal border agents.  Here are the basics:

Two former U.S. Border Patrol agents — whose cases became flashpoints in the controversy over border security — were released early from prison Tuesday, one of their attorneys and a congressman said. The agents were convicted in 2006 of shooting and wounding an unarmed illegal immigrant and then covering it up.

President George W. Bush issued commutations for both men during his final days in office last month. Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean had received 11- and 12-year prison sentences, respectively.

Some prior posts about the Border Agents case and the clemency grant by President Bush:

• Bipartisan call for commuting border agent sentences
• Reports on Senate hearing on Border Agent case
• The furor over border agents’ long sentences
• Equal justice or just the realities of ratting out?
• Using the border agent case as a catalyst for federal sentencing reform
• Harsh border agent sentences producing half-truths
• Are the Border Agents the only federal offenders for whom President Bush feels compassion?
• “Compassionate Conservatism, My Ass”