Dead Wild West Outlaw "Billy The Kid" Up For Pardon By New Mexico Governor

Over 100 years after his death, the infamous Wild West outlaw “Billy the Kid”, could receive a pardon from New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson before the new  year.

"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.

The New Mexico Governor set up a website so the public can weigh in on whether or not the outlaw’s pardon should be granted. Relatives of the outlaw, whose real name was Henry McCarty, had been petitioning the governor over the years, but this year he received his first official response. Richardson leaves office at the end of 2010 - giving Billy the Kid supporters only a few more days to convince him for a pardon.

According to legend, Billy the Kid killed 21 men in the 1870s and early 1880s, but had been promised a pardon by territorial governor Lew Wallace in exchange for his testimony at another trial. Billy, however, skipped out of jail instead and was supposedly shot dead days later.

"I will diligently review this new petition and all the facts available regarding an agreement between Billy the Kid and Governor Wallace before rendering any decision," the governor said.