Former Border Patrol agent who spent time in prison for shooting drug smuggler wants retrial

Ex-border agent who shot smuggler wants retrial

HOUSTON — A former Border Patrol agent who went to prison for shooting a fleeing drug smuggler wants a retrial.

Ignacio Ramos tells the Houston Chronicle that he believes new evidence surfaced while he was in prison. He offered no details.

The 40-year-old ex-lawman says his attorney plans to seek a new trial within two months.

Ramos and Jose Compean were released from prison in February 2009, weeks after then-President George W. Bush commuted their sentences.

The former agents were convicted of shooting Osvaldo Aldrete Davila near El Paso on the Texas-Mexico border in February 2005. Investigators said the agents never reported the shooting and tried to cover it up.

In 2008, Aldrete pleaded guilty to smuggling marijuana. He was sentenced to more than nine years in prison.

Information from: Houston Chronicle, www.houstonchronicle.com