home

Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison

By Jeralyn, Section Oklahoma City Bombing
Posted on Tue Jan 17, 2006 at 08:18:56 PM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

Michael Fortier, who pleaded guilty to knowing about plans to bomb the Oklahoma City federal building in 1995 and not reporting the plans to authorities is set to be released from prison, having finished 85% of his 12 year sentence. Fortier testified against McVeigh and Nichols.

Fortier, who served in the Army with bombing conspirators Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols....also pleaded guilty to helping McVeigh and Nichols move and sell stolen guns, and for lying to federal authorities after the Oklahoma City bombing.

Fortier could have been sentenced to 23 years but because of his cooperation against McVeigh and Nichols, was sentenced to only 12. His wife received immunity from prosecution in exchange for her testimony.

Fortier's plea agreement is here.

< Al Gore Comments on Administration's Reaction to his Speech | Commission on Bush Crimes Against Humanity >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison | 13 comments (13 topical)
    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#1)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 17, 2006 at 10:31:08 PM EST
    Living proof that we soon forget what we once said we'd always remember. And that what we do to ourselves is much harder to face that what others do to us.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#2)
    by Dadler on Tue Jan 17, 2006 at 10:33:29 PM EST
    Perhaps I should've said it's a good thing for him he's not Muslim. His deal would've been torture, then lord only knows what. Or maybe just lord only knows what.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 18, 2006 at 03:37:07 AM EST
    I agree, he's lucky he's a white "Christian" just like his fellow terrorist, Rudolph

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#5)
    by desertswine on Wed Jan 18, 2006 at 07:40:10 AM EST
    Think of the lives Fortier could have saved - and didn't.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Jan 18, 2006 at 10:30:08 AM EST
    He got off easy, and his wife didn't do any time. They both should have been on trial with McVeigh. Both are murderers.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#7)
    by jimcee on Wed Jan 18, 2006 at 07:45:51 PM EST
    He should never have been let out of prison. Appartently the same folks that almost always seek soft sentences on gang style murderers such as Tookie Williams think this conspiritor is worse than he. Fortier should have been executed for his part in the Oklahoma bombing but somehow there would have been many here that thought that was a wrong conclusion. Although I haven't seen very many on the left who thought that the execution of McVeigh was a bad thing, I can't imagine that they would think that this murderous enabler should be set free. Funny how that works. You want to beg mercy for murderers and thier enablers? Then you get what you have asked for. Fortier and his wife are as much murderers of innocents as McVeigh was. So please explain how you would have sentenced these terroristic murderers?

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Jan 22, 2006 at 09:38:41 PM EST
    Who are you ugly people belittling Micheal Fortier. He is a good man. He made a mistake in his life just like all of you who have so much to say. Yes his was maybe a little bigger than all of yours. But he deserves a second chance. So all of you people who are so degrading, i hope that you make a mistake in your life and I hope that you pay with your life. You do not know Micheal Fortier and have any right to judge him as harsh as you do. You are no saints yourself. Focus more on the war in iraq our people are dying everyday I dont hear anyone saying anything about that. But yet we want to dwell on the past, think about lives we need to save now. Like our Soldiers in IRAQ

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#9)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sun Jan 22, 2006 at 10:27:32 PM EST
    Brandy, I wrote the post you are responding to. While I didn't take a position, since you have responded, I will tell you I agree that Michael Fortier has served his time and should be released. Going into the witness protection program will not be easy for him. In many ways, banishment is a continuation of his sentence. I also believe, as his lawyer said, the OKC bombing will be with him forever. Two juries listened to Fortier's testimony, and while there were several parts I took issue with, this is our system of justice. If you cooperate with the government and assist them in convicting someone else, you get a lesser sentence for your own misdeeds. People who are outraged that Michael Fortier is free should complain to their Congresspersons and Senators and ask them to change the law that allows the Government, in its sole discretion, to apply for a sentence reduction for those who provide such testimony. Michael Fortier took advantage of the law and provided the truth as the Government viewed it. The commenters who are upset with his deal should not blame him. The fault lies with the law and the Sentencing Guidelines.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#11)
    by squeaky on Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 08:04:58 AM EST
    Ern-
    Yes, Brandy, we don't know him personally
    emphasis mine Speak for yourself. You are not representing anyone but fascist wingnuts who love to troll this site.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#12)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 10:31:34 AM EST
    Squeaky, agreed, and the first paragraph of Ern's comment will be deleted for violating the comment policy. S/he will also be banned from the site.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#10)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 10:33:03 AM EST
    Yes, Brandy, we don't know him personally, and we've all done wrong, but I think many of us can begin casting some pretty damn big stones at this guy.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Mon Jan 23, 2006 at 02:28:22 PM EST
    I am torn between Micheal being let out. First, he did serve his sentence deemed by our legal system. But then, why should he be out anymore the Nichols? We have to accept what our system has approved and move on with our lives. Micheal doesn't have to answer to us, only himself and a higher being. As a critically injured survivor of the Oklahoma City Bombing, everyone should just move on. What is done is done and you can't change it. The laws do need to be changed and that is not Micheal's fault. He will live with it the rest of his life, especially in nightmares.

    Re: Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Jan 24, 2006 at 02:44:23 PM EST
    Brandy since you spoke on how wonderful Mike Fortier is and how he deserves a second chance. I feel that since I am a lifelong resident of Kingman Az. I deserve to give you my opinion. I knew Mike at one time and i feel no sympathy or sorrow for him. He destroyed so many lifes. Not only the victims who lost their life, but their entire families will never be the same. The entire community of Oklahoma city and even Kingman, the residence of Kingman were invaded and treated like we were all horrible people allowing such behavior. Michael Fortier as far as I am concerened you are not welcome here not now not ever you have cast such shame on your community and family. your family can and maybe if you have any friends they can. you are a monster no better than Tim McVey himself or Jeffrey Daumer I hope you stay far away from the beautiful home of Kinman Az. You should of recieved the same sentence that Tim did. sdskingman

    Michael Fortier to Be Released From Prison | 13 comments (13 topical)