Pleading Not Guilty ??????????????

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2434810/Pair-appear-court-videolink-deny-murdering-soldier-Lee-Rigby-near-barracks.html

Have these two 'a cat in hells' chance of being found not guilty?

/// Adebolajo and Adebowale asked to be addressed by their adopted Islamic names of Al Mujaahid Abu Hamza and Ismail Ibn Abdullah respectively. ///

/// After hearing submissions from the two barristers representing the defendants, the court allowed them to be called by their Muslim names as well. ///

More kowtowing it would seem.

[B00]

I also wondered how the hell they can plead not guilty. What they gonna say in defense?

"Wasn't me guv, I was no where near that area that day!"

[boxtops]

It's not the first time a Muslim person has asked to be addressed by their adopted name, I remember hearing this request from someone else a while back.

I too don't understand how "not guilty" - "it wasn't me, guv" - surely there are no mitigating circumstances (but we don't know yet...)

[Canary42]

Cf Cassius Clay!

[Canary42]

Cf Cat Stevens

[anotheoldgit]

IMO, the changing of names should not be allowed in a court of law.

[rockyracoon]

I imagine they've pleaded not guilty so the can drag the trial out, giving them time to preach their disgusting ideology.

[andy-hughes]

If you were going to be sent to prison for life, what have you got to lose by pleading Not Guilty?

That means a trial, with the burden of proof resting with the Crown.

They probably won't get away with it, but human nature dictates that they will try.

[boxtops]

If you've changed your name, AOG, you can ask to be called by it.

[Barmaid]

//IMO the changing of names should not be allowed in a court of law//

//More kowtowing//

Nonsense. The same courtesy would be extended to anyone who chooses to adopt a new name.

Given that the mandatory sentence for murder is life, there is little benefit of entering a not guilty plea because they are never going to get a significant discount. They have the right to put the prosecution to proof.

I have no idea what their defences are likely to be, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that there will be a duress or diminished responsibility type argument. Who knows? Could be just as Rocky says.

And before anyone jumps on the "it's the pond dwelling lawyers' fault" bandwagon, if their instructions are to plead "not guilty", the lawyers have absolutely no choice but to run a "not guilty" trial as per instructions, irrespective that that may fly in the face of legal advice.

[bennynobrain]

They should use the name on their Passport

[Barmaid]

Nonsense Benny. The name on my previous passport was my married name and I dispensed with the use of that about 6 years ago.

[THECORBYLOON]

No doubt they pled not guilty to increase their chances of expressing their extremist views to a wider audience and there is also the possibility of any murderer being not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished resposibility.

With regard to a change of name, everyone will know who they are no matter what name they go by and if it reduces the risk of the trial being disrupted it's hardly major is it?

[jim360]

I suppose you could view the Not Guilty pleas as sticking two fingers up to justice. They were caught red-handed, in sadly the most literal sense of the term. By pleading Not Guilty they can now draw out the process. It's really a horrible crime... but that is how things have to work.

[anotheoldgit]

Barmaid

/// Nonsense. The same courtesy would be extended to anyone who chooses to adopt a new name. ///

So the local thug would be allowed to call himself "Crusher Smith" or maybe someone could choose to be called "Mickey Mouse"?

[sandyRoe]

They probably view what they did as an act of war rather than a crime and not think themselves guilty of anything. The courts will take another view.

[jim360]

Yes... or even the Crossbow Cannibal:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradford_murders

[anotheoldgit]

Barmaid

You seem to like dismissing all arguments that you yourself disagree with as "Nonsense".

Ever thought that it may be you who is talking "Nonsense"?

[jim360]

On balance, AOG, someone who has worked in the Justice system is rather less likely to be talking nonsense than anyone else here...

[THECORBYLOON]

ANOTHEOLDGIT, why are you so upset about their using Islamic names?

[sandyRoe]

The current Lord Mayor of Belfast uses the name, Máirtin Ó Muilleoir. The unionists on the council take a puerile delight in calling him, Martin Miller. What's wrong with people calling themselves what they want?