POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN?Filomeno Ruiz, serving a sentence of five years to life for his part in the slayings of two fellow ranch hands, wants the Board of Pardons to waive $20,000 in restitution to expedite his return to his native Mexico.

Ruiz, 37, and his boss, Duchesne County rancher John Pinder, were sentenced for the slayings of Rex Tanner, 59, and June Flood, 48, in 1998.

Ruiz testified for the prosecution, which contended Pinder killed Tanner and Flood because he found stolen business documents at Flood’s home that he believed could jeopardize his ostrich and cattle ranch.

At a hearing Tuesday before a Board of Pardons official, Ruiz denied he killed the workers.