The Interview from June 2008
Gary Mitchell Tries To Get All Murder Charges Dismissed
I may be a few months behind, but I recently listened to a Exclusive Interview between Peter St. Cyr with 77KOB and Gary Mitchell (or his representative, it was never made clear who was really speaking) from June 2008. I have questions:
First - When Michael Astorga was arrested and charged with the alleged murder of Deputy McGrane, why did the ACLU immediately step in his defense? Don't civil rights violations have to occur first? Why did the claims of civil right violations appear months after his arrest? Maybe since this was going to be a high profile case Gary Mitchell he jumped right in there?
Second - Why to this day does Gary Mitchell and the ACLU find the murder of Deputy James "Jimmy" F McGrane un-important? Why did Gary Mitchell NOT even for a moment decide to defend the human and civil rights of McGrane that were violated?
Third - The interview that took place with 77KOB proved Gary Mitchell quickly dismissed the comment from Peter St. Cyr in regards to Astorga being held as a violater in the penitentary because of his Parole violation. Why was that ignored Gary? He was wanted for questioning in another murder prior to McGrane and he violated parole! Are you saying he already answered for both of those issues?
Fourth - What proof do YOU have Gary that Astorga is being mistreated? Did he find a hair in his food? (Interesting, since I found one in my food at a restaurant recently. Hmmmm...guess my civil rights were violated!) Is this by his words? Is it a fabrication so that you can request charges be dropped so you DON'T have to go to court and defend this repeat offender of our laws?
In the interview Gary Mitchell "downplays" any reference to McGrane. He stated it could be another year before the Supreme Court comes with a decision as far as the death penalty. This shows Gary Mitchell's games: Make this case go on and on for as long as possible, then the good people of this state will forget who McGrane is and the judges won't care and Astorga will get off.
The other game he (Mitchell) is playing is to make sure that he shows every civil right of Astorga's has been violated. This way he can try to have all charges dismissed based on the honest (what a joke!) words of Astorga and his family. Funny, since most of his immediate family are also vilators of the law! Yeah, this is the same guy, Astorga, who's mother walked into the courtroom wearing a t-shirt to mock the death of someones son. She was also the same person who while walking in the hall with another family member, boyfriend or whatever he was that found it appropriate to flip off the photographer. Oh yeah, this is a reliable class act family!
I want to know when our Judicial System stands up for the rights of this slain Law Enforcement Officer. I want to know when are the citizens of New Mexico going demand that a murder victim should have rights. They should have the right to a timely trial without disruption like what Gary Mitchell is doing.
Earlier in 2008, in Georgia, a Law Enforcement Officer was shot and killed in a routine traffic stop, similar to McGrane's death. The case will now be going to trial in December. This slain officers family will be able to have resolution. The McGrane family does not because of you Gary Mitchell. How do you sleep at night knowing the injustice that you are causing to the victims family?
Gary, I bet you didn't know or you have chosen to disregard that Jimmy was someones son. The day he was born his mother cried tears of joy and his fathers chest increased 10 inches! He was someones brother. He was a grandson, nephew, friend and a genuinely good person. He was funny, loved deeply and was committed to whatever he did. He laughed quietly while his eyes lit up, he had a smile that would melt your heart and when he was a little boy he played with great imagination. He was a believer in prayer and had a strong faith because of his mom and dad. He was a child of this community.
Sadly Gary, you have forgotten the person under the uniform. His name was Jimmy to his family and friends. You can call him Deputy McGrane.
