ALBUQUERQUE, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is being urged by the public to pardon an Iraq war veteran who killed a car burglary suspect.
Elton Richard was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading no contest to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the 2004 death of one Daniel Romero.
The Albuquerque Journal said the plea was entered after Richard had been charged with second-degree murder. He had sought a suspended sentence based on his clean record and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Richardson's office received about 100 calls and e-mail messages last weekend urging the governor to step in and keep the ex-Marine out of prison, the newspaper said.
The sentencing judge told the Journal that he gave Richard time because of a lack of remorse and the fact that he had chased Romero some 1,400 yards before firing the fatal shot.
