The Nation
Might Billy the Kid get a pardon?
Posted: Dec 22, 2010 11:18 AM by Greg Boyce
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Descendants of Old West lawman Pat Garrett and New Mexico Territorial Gov. Lew Wallace are outraged over the possibility that Gov. Bill Richardson will pardon Billy the Kid.
They contend Wallace never offered a pardon in return for the Kid's testimony in a murder case. They also say a petition seeking one is tainted because it's from a lawyer with ties to Richardson. J.P. Garrett is the grandson of Sheriff Pat Garrett, and William Wallace is the great-grandson of Wallace.
Both objected after Richardson set up a website to let the public weigh in on the possibility of a posthumous pardon for the Kid on a murder indictment.
As of Tuesday, the governor's office had received 370 e-mails and about 20 letters.
Richardson's deputy chief of staff says sentiment so far is slightly in favor of the pardon.
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