Billy the Kid was shot dead by lawman Pat Garrett, who put an end to the outlaw’s murderous career on July 14, 1881. Nearly 130 years later, governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico has supposedly considered granting a pardon that was promised to Billy the Kid by New Mexico’s governor before he was gunned down by Garrett. Those who are related to Garrett through their genealogy are mad because this possible pardon would be a disgrace to their forefather who shot Billy the Kid.
Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid yet again
The Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett saga started when the outlaw was apprehended by Garrett for the murder of a county sheriff in 1879. William Bonney, Billy the Kid’s real name, was offered a pardon to testify about one more murder by Lew Wallace, the New Mexico Governor, reports the Los Angeles Times. Billy the Kid came through, but the governor didn’t. Billy ended up getting the death sentence through his trial in court. When it was time to transport him to another town for his hanging, Billy the Kid murdered two deputies and escaped. Garrett found Billy a couple of months later and shot him when he was sleeping.
Did Pat Garrett kill Billy the Kid?
Richardson wanted to check on the issue of whether a pardon should are issued which is why the Billy the Kid stuff came up again. The Associated Press reports that the majority are concerned about whether Billy the Kid was killed in bed by Garrett or if it was somebody else. Skeptics believe Billy the Kid may have lived in Texas until 1950, using the name “Brushy Bill” Roberts. Richardson even appointed a Santa Fe lawyer to represent the late outlaw, saying he wanted to clear up the matter once and for all.
Bill Richardson’s New Mexico publicity stunt
Garrett’s family was really mad that Richardson was even thinking about giving Billy the Kid a pardon. The El Paso Times reports that in a letter to Richardson, the Garretts said the governor had created his own version of the facts that have clouded history and damaged the old sheriff’s reputation. “The history of New Mexico has been permanently disfigured by the element of doubt alone,” the Garretts said. Numerous people think there is really no point in giving a pardon to somebody well known as an outlaw. “There is no point in restoring the civil rights of a dead man,” historian Drew Gomber told the El Paso Times. “It’s a publicity stunt by the governor”.
Discover more details on this subject
Los Angeles Times
articles.latimes.com/2010/jul/14/opinion/la-oe-gardner-billythekid-20100714
Associated Press
google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hLcwJIblvIblKowDQ4Fcr2Ub0nRwD9H9AJEG0
El Paso Times
elpasotimes.com/ci_15626727?source=most_viewed
