It's all about the money. He doesn't care about Astorga, he only cares about the "fame". The ACLU has become a entity that only represents specific ethnicities and has done this for a long time now. I agree, at one time they were a good organization but now they lack the character and Gary Mitchell is an example of that character.
There are still some of us in Albuquerque that believe the ACLU should be standing up in court for Deputy McGrane and not for his accused KILLER! My question is this: Why is the president of the ACLU of New Mexico representing Astorga? Someone must be donating some big bucks to this organization!
Add my "Shame on You" to your list!

The ACLU is a joke, unless you have committed a crime. They will be there for you when that happens. They stand up for illegal immigrants, murderers and anyone that doesn't follow the laws of this country. Interesting.
Unions in this country once stood for the rights of people based on the laws of this country. Now they seem to specialize in finding "loop-holes" in the law so that those that break the law will escape prosecution!
You can add a "Shame on YOU" for me too.

I was not aware that Gary Michello was the President of the ACLU. He is also the defense attorney for accused killer of our son Deputy James McGrane Jr on March 22, 2006.

Gary Michell is only intersted in his own publicity and he will do anything to cause disruption in the courts. We need to be strong and voice our opinions when ever possible. We cannot let the liberals take over like they just did in New Jersey.

When ever a individual takes the life of a police officer or any other crime such as rape and murder they should be facing the death penalty.

I feel that Gary Mitchell should resign as Michael Astorga's attorney. Michael Astorga is a life lone criminal. He began this trend at the age of 14 years old.

His mother is no better. She has raised three sons. All have been in prison and two of them for murder. Michael at the time of his killing my son was also wanted for another murder and was previously charged for another that his brother took the rap for.

We need all you supprot. I know that Gary Mitchell feels he cannot get a fair trial in Bernalillo County.

My question is: Did our son get a fair trial before he was gunned down in cold blood?

If this was the old west Michael Astorga would have been swinging from a oak tree a long time ago.

Jim McGrane

Jim,
I agree with you. The courts need to recognize, (and maybe they already do) Gary Mitchell has 2 purposes, with one being his own personal gain. The second is for the ACLU. This puts a "feather in his cap", or so he thinks.

Unlike his claims in the past of people calling his home to wish ill-will on his family, supporters for Deputy James F McGrane and his family do not! The only wish that Deputy McGrane supporters have is a hope that the court recognizes Gary Mitchells repeated waste our tax dollars, the courts time and delaying the consequences of the crime Michael Paul Astorga "allegedly" committed that would result in his own death as punishment. Of course, he doesn't support the death penalty along with many others in this country. Remember Jim, most of these people have never lost a child this way. Those that have, the majority will stand behind you all the way.
I will support your question Jim:
Your son, Deputy James F McGrane, deputy for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Department, didn't get a trial because HE HAD NOT COMMITTED A CRIME, he was doing his job. Therefore, Michael Paul Astorga, "accused" of killing your son deserves the worst possible punishment for killing an innocent man in cold blood.

People in this state need to stand up for what is right. They need to speak out.

I'm with you Jim and SHAME ON MITCHELL.
This is where the ACLU has failed once again.

I do not think that Gary Mitchell is in this for fame or fortune. Standing up for what you beleive in is not an easy task, and can bring many problems if one is going against he grain. I know Gary, and I beleive that his heart is in the right place, and that he is representing Mike because he does not think anyone charged with a crime should be murdered by this state, or this country. I admire gary for standing up, and taking all the BS that he gets. I myself, have gotten some of the same BS, for standing up against the DP and for supporting those that noone else wants to. Michael hasnt even gone to trial yet. Lets let our juctice system work for once. Hold out on judgement until this man goes to trial. Better yet, go sit int he courtroom yourself, and hear the evidence. The media is always slanted, and those that rely on media for the "real facts" are not getting them.

Interesting comments Anti 4 Life, but exactly what was expected.
You called him "Mike"! Now we know who you are!
If you think for one minute that I would feel any empathy for Gary Mitchell you are sadly mistaken.
Why isn't Gary Mitchell defending Deputy McGrane's civil rights that were violated? Answer that question? He was given a death sentance and didn't even have the chance to defend himself, much less have the ACLU President of the NM Chapter defend him. Wow, how did Astorga rate? Poor Deputy McGrane, he is dead and Astorga sits in a courtroom ALIVE and with a defense attorney.
Why didn't the ACLU (Gary) try to abolish the death penalty law in NM before???? Because it didn't serve his purpose. Why did he wait until an innocent officer of the law was killed. The same officer that kept YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE AT NIGHT! Because it didn't serve his purpose.
The ACLU should be defending those poor innocent girls in Texas, who's rights were violated, or the Deputy McGranes of this world! Don't you come on here and talk to me about how hard this is for Gary! He is a very poor representation of what the ACLU stands for or at least what it stood for at one time! I am disgusted with him and YOU!
Don't presume you know when I am in the courthouse and when I am not! You don't know me!

When the ACLU starts defending the true victims and not the violators of law, then we will have something to talk about.

Actually, Gary Mitchell has been a strong proponent of efforts to repeal the death penalty in NM for decades. This is not his first capital case, by any means. The courts are obligated to provide the best attorney possible in capital cases. Not all attorneys have the expertise to deal with these cases. Also as a member of the ACLU I can tell you that this organization has defended Rush Limbuagh as well as other high-profile racist groups based upon first amendment issues. I am often chagrined to see that they have defended these rabid racists. Nevertheless, that is a fact. Anyone can check their web-site and see the wide range of cases they choose to litigate.

This is a particularly sad case ... McGrane was a young man and his life was taken. No one has been convicted yet, and I urge everyone to wait and see what testimony is brought to the public before passing judgement. Every American is guaranteed the presumption of innocence. And, yes ... if this were the 'wild west' era, Astorga might well have been strung up by friends and family of McGrane. But it isn't the old days, and NM has been a State since 1912. The US Constitution gives him the right to a fair trial regardless of the crime for which he's accused. Let justice will out.

I know that michael is a pig and should pay for what the murders we all "know" he commited. He was an animal before the murders and I'm sure he's still one and should be treated like one.
Mr. McGrane, I wished I could have met you and your wife to hug you and tell you how sorry I am about your son's death. He was a great man and did not deserve to cross paths with that animal.

Interesting Tilda that you are a member of the ACLU. So tell ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY......Why didn't Gary Mitchell stand up for the Human Rights Violations inflicted on Deputy McGrane?
It's a simple question for someone who is an advocate for Gary Mitchell and a member for this "useful"? organization.

I am with Jim McGrane, Mitchell should just step aside and lrt justice be served instead of muddying the waters. Astorga is the epitome of evil and deserves the death penalty. Jim McGrane is a good man, his son was a great young man and Astorga did not give him or his rights a second thought on March 22, 2006.

Justice is served when evidence is presented in a court, able advocates for the prosecution and defense make arguments, and a fair, impartial jury reaches a verdict. That is the way our justice system works. It is ironic, and sad, that some would honor Deputy McGrane's memory by dishonoring the justice system he died defending.