122 years after shootout, attorney to gather information for a pardon

Wasn't there something about "speedy" on the books somewhere?

THE GOVERNORÂ’S office said RobinsÂ’ primary task will be to gather and assess evidence during a renewed investigation into the circumstances of Billy the KidÂ’s violent life and death, to determine whether the Kid (a.k.a. William H. Bonney, Henry McCarty or Kid Antrim) merits a pardon.

A pardon? The guy's been dead for 122 years. What's the point?

Even though all sides in the Billy the Kid brouhaha say theyÂ’re using pro bono services rather than public funds, critics have wondered why public officials are spending such time and attention on a 122-year-old case.

Hey, I just said that!

Looking beyond the question of frontier justice, those officials usually point out that the Old West legends — and the tourists attracted by such legends — are big business for New Mexico. And they say that makes looking for the truth worth the trouble.

Ah! Tourism dollars. That explains it. In that case, look for Billy to get his pardon as it will change him from a romanticized outlaw into a wrongfully slain romantic hero and that's worth more money.

(Hat tip to Lovely Wife)

Posted by: Jim at 09:14 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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