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Billy the Kid May Finally Get His Pardon

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will decide by year's end

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2010 8:09 AM CST

(Newser) – One of Bill Richardson’s last acts as New Mexico governor could be pardoning Billy the Kid. He’s reviewing a petition to pardon the famed outlaw—killed in 1881 after reportedly killing 21 men—which is based on the claim that Governor Lew Walllace promised the Wild West folk hero a pardon in exchange for testifying at a murder trial.

"As someone who is fascinated with New Mexico's rich history, I've always been intrigued by the story of Billy the Kid and, in particular, the alleged promise of a pardon he was given," Richardson said in a statement. He will make a decision by the end of the year, Reuters reports. Click for more on Billy the Kid’s looming pardon—and why some aren’t happy about it.

1881: Wild West criminal Billy the Kid (1859 - 1881) meets his end at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
1881: Wild West criminal Billy the Kid (1859 - 1881) meets his end at the hands of Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.   (Getty Images)
circa 1878: A $5000 reward poster for the capture of Billy The Kid, Dead or Alive by Sheriff Jim Dalton.
circa 1878: A $5000 reward poster for the capture of Billy The Kid, Dead or Alive by Sheriff Jim Dalton.   (Getty Images)
This undated ferrotype picture provided by the Lincoln County, NM, Heritage Trust Archive is believed to depict Billy the Kid, circa 1880.
This undated ferrotype picture provided by the Lincoln County, NM, Heritage Trust Archive is believed to depict Billy the Kid, circa 1880.   (AP Photo/Lincoln County Heritage Trust Archive)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
sevenxseven
Dec 24, 2010 5:45 PM CST
It is about time he was pardoned, he killed the men who murdered the owner of the ranch he was working for, and I think billy was wearing a badge at the time. the other sheriff was just another outlaw, who murdered tunsil. plus billy was promised a pardon, and then they tried to hang him, he was just trying to defend his self. he probably killed some people before this happened. A lot of outlaws got pardoned before him.
Arlene Withheld
Dec 24, 2010 5:17 PM CST
Please read the story! This is not a pardon that Richardson or any other politician dreamed up. This was a pardon that was promised to him in exchange for testimony. Modern DAs do this all the time. According to the story, the governor of the state promised a pardon if McCarty testified. McCarty did testify. The pardon didn't happen. Richardson is trying to determine if he should keep the (alleged) word of Lew Wallace. It doesn't matter if McCarty deserves it or not, that is not the point. The point is, if there was a promise made, and McCarty fulfilled his end of the bargain, then should Richardson keep Wallace's end of the bargain? I couldn't care less if they did this or not, but the asinine comments regarding whether McCarty deserves it or not based on murder or not have nothing to do with whether a pardon is deserved. IF Wallace made the promise, and IF McCarty fulfilled his end of the bargain, then there's no question that the pardon should be granted.
bewilderbeast
Dec 21, 2010 9:33 AM CST
As far as I'm concerned Billy the Kid was: -Wronged; -Treated badly; -Fighting against crooked businessmen; Sure, he broke the law. But The Law also broke the law (then as now). So should he be "pardoned" posthumously? Dunno, don't care. All I would want is that people read the whole story, and look for the TRUE VILLAINS in the whole saga. Don't do a "Lynndie England" and place all the blame on a footsoldier while ignoring the theft and abuse of the kingpins.

 
Bill Richardson • New Mexico • pardon • Wild West • outlaw • Billy the Kid • Billy the Kid pardon • Pat Garrett

 
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