Gary McKinnon

[scotman]

Just heard on TV news that Alan Johnson has declined to allow G McKinnon's appeal against extradition to US of A on computer hacking charges.
I think this is the correct decision. What do you all think?

[Ankou]

daffy, it was here...

http://business.times...aw/article4628575.ece

i put 'aparently' because i cannot state it as fact as i am not working for the prosecution or defence. we could equally take the claim of aspergers with the same disregard couldn't we ?

[daffy654]

jno,I don't think anyone is saying he shouldn't be tried for hs actions,he most definitely should be.
But does anyone really think he is going to get a fair trial in the US?

[Ankou]

define fair trial ?

let off, shorter sentence, sent back to the uk to serve sentence ?

[daffy654]

Not if he has received a diagnosis of Aspergers Ankou.Doctors are not in the habit of lying about these things,and the 'symptoms' of Aspergers are pretty obvious.

[daffy654]

A fair trial would be one where he was not held up as an example as many US politicians want him to be. The sentence should also fit the crime. 60 years behind bars or execution is a tad harsh for the crime of computer hacking don't you think!

[Quinlad]

Riiight - so actually, we're not talking about Aspergers syndrome, or about the rights and wrongs of extradition.

We're talking about whether the US judicial system is fit for purpose. If not, can I ask why?

And maybe you could let us know which countries' systems are ok, and which aren't?

Is there an element of picking holes in the American system because we don't like the idea of us doing what one of the bigger boys wants us to?

[jno]

people get fair trials in the USA every day. This one will probably come under more public scrutiny than most. And there are plenty of examples of unfair trials in the UK (just ask the Birmingham Six or Guildford Four), so being tried here isn't some kind of safe option. Sorry, but if he's done wrong he'll have to pay the price.

[Ankou]

in 2003 mckinnon rejected a written plea offer that would have given him six months to a year in a u.s. low security prison, followed by a transfer back to the uk for parole six months later. he has been ""diagnosed"" with aspergers within the last year, even some aspergers’ sufferers are suggesting that he is using it as a scapegoat for his actions. why wasn't he diagnosed 5, 6, 7 years ago ??

he faces anywhere from six months to six-and-a-half years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines, depending on how much damage he caused, if any, and whether or not he accepts responsibility. the 60 years and execution is media bollux.