Posthumous pardon for Billy the Kid opposed

SANTA FE, N.M. – Descendants of Old West lawman Pat Garrett met with Gov. Bill Richardson on Wednesday and urged him to reject the idea of a posthumous pardon for the outlaw Billy the Kid, who was killed by Garrett nearly 130 years ago in New Mexico.

Three of Garrett’s grandchildren and two great-grandchildren met with Richardson and the governor’s staff in his Capitol office for about an hour. They voiced their objections to a pardon for the Kid, saying it would tarnish Garrett’s honor.

Jarvis Patrick Garrett, a grandson from Albuquerque, asked Richardson to sign a petition in opposition to a pardon. The governor declined but told the Garretts he’s made no decision about a pardon.

“As far as I am concerned, as soon as I get his signed signature on my petition, then I’ll be satisfied,” Jarvis Patrick Garrett said after the meeting.

He’s gathered about 100 signatures on the petition, which was circulated at a Wild West History Association conference last month in New Mexico.

Family members said Richardson told them he was considering a pardon because he was interested in why Territorial Gov. Lew Wallace didn’t follow through on a promised pardon after the Kid testified about killings that happened during the so-called Lincoln County War.

The bloody feud in southern New Mexico broke out in 1878 between two factions vying for control of mercantile and cattle trade. The Kid – who was born William Henry McCarty but also went by the name William Bonney – was later convicted of killing a sheriff during one of many gunbattles between the opposing sides.

Alarie Ray-Garcia, a spokeswoman for Richardson, said the governor asked to meet with the Garretts to hear their concerns and “found the family to be very gracious.” She confirmed that Richardson has made no decision concerning a pardon.

The Garrett family opposes a pardon because they say it would cast doubt over the honor of their grandfather and the veracity of historical accounts that he shot the outlaw.

“We have a tendency unfortunately in this country to glorify criminals,” said Pauline Garrett Tillinghast, of Tampa, Fla.