Gary Mitchell, nor the ACLU had any influence on the creation of the petition to seek proper treatment of Michael. This petition was done by friends and family who want to make sure things are done properly. Please post things that are truthful.

Anti 4 Life,
We all know the how the ACLU, and Gary Mitchell, who is the President of the NM Chapter of the ACLU has influenced this case publicly without regard to the family of Deputy McGrane.
Who are you kidding! If you are telling me that the family and friends of this accused killer have had a sudden transformation and they are now wanting to "make sure things are done properly", you chose the wrong person to debate with. I find your comments interesting since you are talking about a family that accessed the personal information of the citizens of NM, illegally, to help a family member and friend escape the state and country.
It is the influences of the ACLU that continue to minimize this cold blooded killing. Gary Mitchell as president of this "group" and also the Attorney for astorga is directly involved just because of his position, therefore the influences come from him and his "group".
If you followed my blog over the past few months you would have found that at one time, as I stated, the ACLU was a much needed "group" that fought for human rights based on TRUE human rights violations. This is no longer true. They only deal with cases that will benefit the attorney and their notoriety. Otherwise, why is it that the human rights violations that occurred against Deputy James F McGrane, Jr., were found to be less than any violation against this "alleged" haha!, cold blooded murderer. Not true you say? Well, then, why didn't the ACLU stand up for McGrane in regards to his death which was cruel and unusual?

Deputy McGrane led a good life, never in trouble by the law and in the end served the people of this community with dignity and honor. He had many friends and also the respect of his piers.
So, don't tell me that the ACLU or Gary Mitchell have not used this case for personal gain, notoriety and with disregard for the death of a good man in this community!
Personally, I am sick of people like you who NEVER show feelings for the true victims of violent crime.

Truthful? You want the truth? It doesn't get any more truthful than what is on this blog. Whether you choose to accept it or not is not my problem. I think you need to inform yourself better.

I never ever said I don't have feelings for the victim or his family. I have never said anything bad about Officer Mcgrane or his family. However, Michael Astorga stands accused and has not been tried yet. I believe that, under the consitution of the US, he is entitled to a fair and impartial jury trial.
I cannot support the death penalty for anyone. I do not believe it is a punishment that deters crime, and I do not believe that it will bring closure to the victims family in any case. The world is not suddenly better because of an execution.

I can have compassion for both sides of a crime. I do not believe that Gary Mitchell in any way has disregarded the life of Officer Mcgrane. He is a criminal defense attorney, and is defending his client as is entitled to him under the constitution.

Anti4Life,
Do you really have compassion for both sides? It's interesting that you can say you have compassion for Deputy McGrane and his family but yet your conversation always goes back to defend Gary Mitchell and astorga. I too believe in the right for a fair trial with an impartial jury, under the US Constitution. What continues to baffle me is that your "group" doesn't see fit to stand behind the death of McGrane and the violation of human rights that took his life. Look, Mitchell IS a defense attorney, everyone knows that. He is also the President of the NM Chapter of the ACLU, which many people did not know. Therefore, he should not have used this case in order to benefit himself in regards to the ACLU.
I have never given my opinion on the death penalty. I don't defend it nor do I promote it. What I am angry about and I feel very strongly about is the fact that now that a NM Law Enforcement Officer was killed in cold blood, Gary Mitchell and his "group" decide it's the right forum to change the law. Why didn't he try to change the death penalty law in NM before McGranes death? Because it benefits his status as an attorney and promotes his position in the ACLU.
Just because your personal belief is to defend "alleged" or convicted killers from the death penalty doesn't mean you are right, it is only YOUR opinion and shouldn't be forced on an entire community. It's too bad you and those with your same opinion haven't taken that care and concern for fighting the death penalty and passed some of that to the McGrane Family.
By the way, my opinion of michael astorga doesn't mean he "stands accused". I only wish I had that kind of power.

Your concern on whether this man is treated fairly just doesn't touch my heart. Spend a little more time directing your compassion appropriately. Deputy McGrane is buried, an innocent life lost and your "group" spends hours trying to make sure astorga and his gesture throwing, law violating family and friends are all treated well.