No Pardon for Billy the Kid
130 years after the death of the Kid, Richardson wanted to pardon the kid for one reason. That reason was that a former Governor had promised a pardon for cooperation from the Kid in his testimony, for other killings he had witnessed.. A pardon that, then Governor Lew Wallace, never followed through on.
Governor Richardson had received both pro and con emails on his decision to be made. He finally decided against it, because not enough information was present about why Governor Lewis had held back his promise. So as of this date in 2011, the Kid is still an outlaw.
My thoughts on the Issue
This is a good decision by Governor Richardson for several reasons.
1. First this happened over 100 years ago. How could anyone living today no the true story of what really happened.
2. The death of lawmen was involved. Lincoln County Sheriff William Brady was killed by the Kid. By today's standards, a person is executed for that crime.
3. Was the individual shot by Pat Garrett really the Kid? Many claim that he wasn't. Ollie Roberts (Brushy Bill) along with John Miller have claimed to be the real Billy Kid. No DNA tests have ever been run. The Kids body was quickly buried by Garrett.
4. Do not interfere with the past. What happened is history. Leave it at that. Individuals back then handled things their way.
5. The Kid is a legend. Right or wrong, the Kid is a legend. He gets more notoriety as that, than if he was pardoned.
I often wonder, "Why people today want to change the facts from the past? Changing history is not a good thing. I applaud former Governor Richardson for leaving things be. I still enjoy remembering the Kid as an outlaw.
Published by Bill Hanks
Just an average Joe living in the Midwest. I am a retired High School teacher/coach. I work part time for a small college. I am president of our local Kiwanis club. I am also a city alderman. But, most of... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentI totally agree with you. Unless irrefutable evidence gives rise to a need to change general knowledge of a past event, it should be left alone. We cannot possibly know better than the people who lived during his time. Furthermore, life and law change all the time. Plenty of people were guilty of things that are no longer illegal. Should we give all of those people pardons? No, they broke the law. Whether we agree with those laws or not. Sorry, I got a little off topic because Billy would certainly still be guilty today.
I agree. History is history, though perhaps unfair at the time.
But, the fact is Lew Wallave (the author of Ben-Hur) promised a pardon, went back on his word, so he ended up showing that the government was no better than the outlaw.
Loved the movie.
Very interesting, I love this... :o)
All the coverage of this issue belonged in the Entertainment section of the Sunday paper.... News? I think not. Maybe a new screenplay about it will spring from the mind of some under appreciated writer sleeping under the Hollywood sign.
Good write up and I agree.
I heard about that I was wondering why they would pardon him so many years after his death just because he was a famous historical figure. He undeniably did the crimes.