I see. According to them, they pursued this guy and he was armed. When he turns up later he isn't so that means he wasn't? Because a drug dealer's word is more trustworthy than a law enforcement officer's?
They're guilty of panicking and covering up the incident, but based on what has transpired since, I have a hard time blaming them. They hung these guys out to dry and the sentences are too severe for the crime, IMO.
I don't agree with the bold print at all. However, these guys did screw the pooch. They didn't report the shooting, because they did not feel that the alleged assailant had not been hit? Bullshit. You report any incident in which your service weapon has been discharged.
You are correct. They are guilty of covering up the incident. They shot at a fleeing suspect that they suspected was armed. They policed their brass. This is destroying evidence and is a federal crime. These Agents' probably didn't merit the punishement that they recieved, but they brought it on themselves. If they had handled the incident in a more professional manner, the would probably still be on the border.
BTW, the people that tell me that these guys are guilty as hell, are Border Patrol Agents themselves. That tells me alot.