Billy the Kid.....

[fightingquaker13]

Guys, not to sound cynical, but did it occur to you that Richardson went through this whole rigamarole as part of his gubenatorial duty as "Tourism Booster in Chief"? The no pardon was a done deal. The fact that it was a drag show done in full western regalia, and just the sheer wierdness of it all guranteed media. It was about making folks think about visiting New Mexico for its frontier history. The governonr was just doining what every governonr does. Trying to get you to spend your money in his state. Plus, it was entertaining as hell, and when you're term limited, why not enjoy the perks?
FQ13

[Herknav]

At least the time spent on this wasn't spent on taking away the rights of living folks.

[T.C. 21]

Billy the kid is an interesting figure who I've enjoyed reading about and you might find it interesting to know he was not the "stone cold killer" he was made out to be. Before the Lincoln County War, Billy would have only be considered a horse thief (the fact that this was a hanging offense is beside the point) . He was hired in Lincoln County as security for one of the two ranches in the "war." The other ranch put in place the sheriff and deputies. Billy's employer was a new rancher who had a chance at getting a contract and the sheriff’s employer wanted the same contract the difference was the latter owned the town. So in this case the Law Enforcement was just as bad as the Kid. The war was truly about beef contracts for the US military.

TC

[Conagher 45]

Interesting too is the death of Pat Garrett, the lawman who aledgedly shot young Billy. His death in 1908 is surrounded in controvecy also.

[Solus]

Guys, not to sound cynical, but did it occur to you that Richardson went through this whole rigamarole as part of his gubenatorial duty as "Tourism Booster in Chief"? The no pardon was a done deal. The fact that it was a drag show done in full western regalia, and just the sheer wierdness of it all guranteed media. It was about making folks think about visiting New Mexico for its frontier history. The governonr was just doining what every governonr does. Trying to get you to spend your money in his state. Plus, it was entertaining as hell, and when you're term limited, why not enjoy the perks?
FQ13

I agree, FQ.

And there are precedents.  I can think of two off hand.

Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, for example.  Nasty pirate, but the festival is a great time.

Same with Guy (Guido) Fawkes in Briton....another great party night commemorating his capture thus "On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, we commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy"

 

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

That was the actual origin of the doggerel from "V for Vendetta"
(And I have been told, "It's pronounced GEE " )

http://www.britannia.com/history/kaboom.html

"Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot.
I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot."

This poetic little rhyme, still popular among children today, continues to remind us why, on the night of November 5th, bonfires surmounted by cloth manikins or "Guys" are set alight in every town and village in Britain amongst a blaze of celebratory fireworks:

[bluesman001]

Billy the kid is an interesting figure who I've enjoyed reading about and you might find it interesting to know he was not the "stone cold killer" he was made out to be. Before the Lincoln County War, Billy would have only be considered a horse thief (the fact that this was a hanging offense is beside the point) . He was hired in Lincoln County as security for one of the two ranches in the "war." The other ranch put in place the sheriff and deputies. Billy's employer was a new rancher who had a chance at getting a contract and the sheriff’s employer wanted the same contract the difference was the latter owned the town. So in this case the Law Enforcement was just as bad as the Kid. The war was truly about beef contracts for the US military.

TC

Maybe I've bought in to the romanticism, but I think he followed through with what most of us think about doing, but may never do - renegade justice.  And the law in that town were probably dirty as the Kids underwear.  We'll never know the facts truly, because the ones writing it were the ones who were dirty.  Or those self-righteous enough to rid themselves of the gunslinger taboo.