Mexican Consulate wants justice for Mexican national

The Mexican Consulate wants the FBI to investigate the "wrongful death" of a Mexican national in Shelbyville Tennessee. Shelbyville Officer James Wilkerson shot and killed Fermin Estrada in March 2006, AFTER Fermin fired towards the officers. The officers identified themselves as police, but the family of Fermin Estrada say their relative was shot for no reason and that the police failed to identify themselves. (News Channel 5.com, hat tip stickNstein)

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation conducted the inquiry into the shooting. Estrada is said to be a US citizen, so why is the Mexican Consulate involved in this? Why is Mr. Estrada referred to as a Mexican national if he is a United States citizen? This sounds like a law enforcement situation and the Mexican Consulate should have no voice in what happens.

The officers responded to a complaint from Shannon Stephens of Cedar River Road on the afternoon of March 18, who reported seeing three men at her dog pen, one had a pistol. Estrada "started raising his weapon in our direction while still firing his weapon," Davis said in a report made that evening for the police department.

Fermin Estrada, 47, was shot on his property near his home during a party with out-of-state guests and relatives who were being shown his property where, according to police, he had fired his hand gun into the ground and "did turn and fire toward the officers... Officer [James] Wilkerson did return fire striking the subject and killing him." (source)

Estrada's family filed, a $50 million wrongful death suit against the city, its police department and the officer who fired his city-provided assault rifle. Estrada's children, William, Ezekiel, Fermin Jr., Erik and Patricia, are represented by Bogatin Law Firm attorneys Stephen King and Charles Blatteis.

The complaint going to the federal court describes Estrada as someone who is well-known as a leader of the Hispanic business community to city police, including Wilkerson. Fermin Estrada had, on numerous occasions, acted as a translator for the police and courts to translate between governmental officials and Spanish speaking residents, the complaint states. (source)

The official reports say Estrada's 'blood alcohol level at .18 -- more than twice the level at which the law sees an individual's ability to drive as impaired. The report also concludes Estrada did "assault on officer," and the shooting was "justifiable homicide" and Estrada "attacked police officer and that officer killed criminal." Wilkerson carried his city AR 15 assault rife.

Tyson Foods employee Rafael De la Paz of Shelbyville was with Fermin Estrada when he was shot. With attorney Blatteis interpreting, "I did not see him shoot at the police...". Interpreting? He didn't speak English? He worked for Tyson Foods??? 'Blatteis said the lawsuit is to provide the Estrada family "peace of mind" and to "vindicate Mr. Estrada."' I guess the $50 million has nothing to do with it?

"It's tragic whenever a person loses their life," [District Attorney Chuck] Crawford said. "However, upon reviewing the TBI investigation, [it seems] the officer's actions were reasonable. (Shelbyville Times Gazette)

It seems the TBI did an appropriate investigation. So what authority does the Mexican Consulate have in a police matter inside the United States? None.

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

Comments

[StormWarning]

A number of years ago I felt that the election of 2006 was predictable and easy to understand by the simple fact that President Bush had abandoned his conservative base (that which essentially got him elected in 2000).

[Debbie]

Stormwarning, no conservatives don't fall in lock step behind the President or anybody else. In fact, we have been upset with him lately, especially on immigration.

[StormWarning]

So I take it from reading this blog now for a few weeks that you Conservatives do not always support the actions of President Bush. As far as I am concerned, the President's policies, especially when it comes to border security and
"amnesty" will do nothing but compromise our National security.

[Christi]

Debbie, thanks for doing this post. It seems that when the Mexican Consulate speaks, our government springs into action - unfortunately. The sooner our elected officials remember who they work for, the better.