Alexander Blackman Refused Bail.

[webbo3]

For what reason would they refuse him bail, he not a risk to the general public.
Another case of out of touch judges.

Sgt Alexander Blackman refused bail pending new appeal
http://news.sky.com/story/sgt-alexander-blackman-refused-bail-pending-new-appeal-10704220


Dave.

[murraymints]

the man was suffering extreme stress, had seen his own men dismembered and hang from trees....combat stress...until we walk in his shoes we can't imagine the horrors he saw and suffered with his men

[Ninefingers]

Another answerbank popcorn thread.

Gromit - there was an appeals process through the Courts Martial system for any offence, you could accept the judgement of the court or it could be held under appeal terms by a court of Generals. If this has changed in the last few years then fair enough.

For him to appeal under terms of combat stress or PTSD that would have to be assesed by psychologists and would only be allowable following their diagnosis. The huge problem I have with this is that is he's using it to get a reduction in sentence then he disrespects every member of our armed forces who respected the discipline and came home to suffer the effects of PTSD.

The harsh reality of this case for me centres around his admission in the video of his breach of the Geneva Convention, he knew what he was doing:
The Geneva Convention,
CHAPTER II
Wounded and Sick

Article 12. Members of the armed forces and other persons mentioned in the following Article, who are wounded or sick, shall be respected and protected in all circumstances.

They shall be treated humanely and cared for by the Party to the conflict in whose power they may be, without any adverse distinction founded on sex, race, nationality, religion, political opinions, or any other similar criteria. Any attempts upon their lives, or violence to their persons, shall be strictly prohibited; in particular, they shall not be murdered or exterminated, subjected to torture or to biological experiments; they shall not willfully be left without medical assistance and care, nor shall conditions exposing them to contagion or infection be created.

He killed a wounded man, enemy or not, breaking this basic tenet of the convention, he's guilty and should pay for that crime.

Wellington once allegedy said of armies that discipline was the only thing that prevented them descending into anarchy. That holds true today, unless the training of our future officers and soldiers continues to maintain that discipline our armed forces become an uncontrollable rabble.

[Gromit]

Ninefingers

I think I am right in saying that there is an appeals process for minor Court Martial convictions, but not for serious offenses like murder. In that instance, the Court of Appeal takes precidence.

[Togo]

Meanwhile Nigerian fraudster James Iboru sentenced to 13 years for a £50million (yes £50million) fraud is let out less than half way through his term despite refusing to pay back or reveal the whereabouts of a penny of his haul. Just to rub it in he was sent off to his Christmas party on the day that Sgt Blackman was refused bail. British "justice". Meehh.

[andy-hughes]

Togo - despite repeated attempts to explain, you are determined to ignore the way the justice system works in order to perpetuate your notion that MS Blackman's refusal of bail is unjust / unfair / cruel etc. etc. and to rant on about it on a daily basis.

I am giving up on trying to explain because you can't or won't understand the points I have made - but you are starting to resemble a cracked record.

[EDDIE51]

This appeal ONLY repeat ONLY exists because the Daily Mail paid Tens of Thousands of £s to hire lawyers to find a very tenuous reason for a second appeal! he has already lost the first one but had a reduction in his Tariff to 8 years.
The Mail is just 'buying itself a story!' it's motive is 100% self interest. It runs the story of the appeal citing how his family were hoping to have him home for Christmas. Next if the appeal fails it will run a story citing the 'travesty of justice' meaning a 'hero' has to stay in jail!.
If by chance it succeeded they will trumpet about how we 'saved a Hero'
A win win situation for the Mail!
The tragedy is that this is at the expense of Alexander Blackman who has had his hopes raised in almost total certainty of seeing them dashed !
The very best that could possibly come of this appeal is a reduction of the charge to manslaughter. He only has 8 years to serve on the current murder charge (he has already served 4 I think , so he could be free in under 4 years) it is unlikely he would get less than 8 years for manslaughter. He could even get longer , thus the 'Mails' appeal could mean he actually serves longer even if it succeeded!

[Togo]

Rant? Rant.....coming from Rant central. When I need you to "explain" anything to me will book into the clinic for the confused and feeble of reason. I have not counted but I would bet that the daily rants in all threads are probably your own. Far from not understanding the way the "justice" system works, it is obvious that my highlighting of the inequities of the whole system, is far to precise for you and makes uncomfortable reading for some. Useful fools all.

[hereIam]

aa - who the hell do you think I meant ????

[hereIam]

murraymints at 19:19 last night - couldn't agree more.

[andy-hughes]

Togo - //Far from not understanding the way the "justice" system works, it is obvious that my highlighting of the inequities of the whole system, is far to precise for you and makes uncomfortable reading for some. Useful fools all. //

The unique nature of each case leads to the unique nature of the sentencing and bail structures, it is nothing to do with 'inequality' - that is a figment of your increasingly fevered imagination.