Billy the Kid is trending on news that he may be pardoned by outgoing New Mexico Gov.Bill Richardson.
The iconic outlaw of the Wild West, who, legend has it,killed 21 men (though the actual number was nine, at most), was promisedamnesty back in 1881 by then territorial Gov. Lew Wallace after he agreed tocooperate with law enforcement. But a district attorney reneged on thedeal and Billy the Kid, facing execution for the murder of a sheriff,subsequently escaped jail, killing two guards in the act. The possible pardon by Gov. Richardson faces backlash from the descendants ofSheriff Pat Garrett, who shot the Kid dead after his escape. An unofficial online poll set up by the governor shows most New Mexicans favorthe pardon.
