Getting away with murder

[youngmafbog]

It appears that the rather outdated law on murder is under review. Will this lead to more lenient sentences by wishy washy liberal judges or approiate sentences for the crime

http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-13482331,00. html

[Loosehead]

Probably and excuse for ever lenient sentencing. I think though that the degrees of murder system has it's merits but I do not trust our liberal elite masters to implement it as designed. On a similar subject I read today that the governement intends to reform the law so that robbers who kill will not be charged with murder as is the current policy. It's getting to the stage where you can have an easier life on the wrong side of the law!

[LazyGun]

It seems to me that there should be some form of graded sentencing for murder. Serial killers, premeditated murders are very different from say an "accidental" death arising from an argument, for instance.

It does seem to even a lefty liberal like me though that all too often the punishment is not sufficiently severe,and that the "rights" of those charged seem to be taking precedence over the wrong done to the victim and the victims family.

If you are found guilty of murder, you should automatically be given a whole life sentence. The judge and the sentencing authorities can then deduct time from the sentence according to whatever mitigating circumstances there may be. Would this be a more sensible option?

[jake-the-peg]

Sounds a good idea. From what I can see this would mean that people like Tony Martin would actually face a murder charge instead of weasling out onto manslaughter simply because nobody wants to compare him with the likes of Fred West.

First degree murder would be deliberate killing

Second degree - killing through reckless indifference or diminished responsibility

Manslaughter - killing through gross negligence

[Oneeyedvic]

Personally, I am glad about this, and have been thinking that this should have been changed many years ago.

There is a vast difference between (as extreme examples) Ian Huntley and the partner of someone who is in pain and wishes to die in peace (like Diane Pretty). In the middle is the wife who attacks and kills her husband after suffering years of abuse.

The above three examples are exactly the reason why there should be different charges brought - it is too simplistic to say murder is murder.

Hopefully, they will not reduce prison sentances for the likes of the first example, but will for examples (as jake the peg points out) Tony Martin.

[youngmafbog]

Agree with you there vic on all things but the Tony Martin comment.

However if we did have a more appropiate charge perhaps this case would have never made it into the limelight.

[Loosehead]

Tony Martin should have been sentenced to shooting lessons, make sure he gets both the scum next time!

[jake-the-peg]

Really Loosehead?

Would that that be the same Tony Martin later arrested on suspicion of stealing number plates?

What should somebody get for the posession of an illeagal weapon say a pump action shotgun?

And I always thought you were in favour of tougher sentences for scumbags

[Loosehead]

He had a legally held double barrelled shotgun.

His house had been ransacked countless times.

He was alone and frightened and sick to death of Police inaction.

2 burglars entered the house in darkness, what would you have done? use harsh language, get real!

I don't know about the number plates but the victim at bleak house was Tony Martin.

[Loosehead]

When society does not feel protected by the law then inevitably they will defend themselves. We are slipping down this slope right now.

[Loosehead]

Sorry I was wrong about the shotgun he didn't have a licence.

[coyn]

Whether Tony Martin had a licence is irrelevant what is for certain is that the vermin coming through his door in the early hours didn't have a licence to do so.

Mr Martin having to serve time for ridding this country of this scum is precisely what is wrong with British so called justice.

The law should be simplified, if you break into someones home then whatever happens to you is YOUR fault.

[frizzytwig]

Coyn- Amen to that

[derekpara]

Coyn for Prime Minister !

[bernardo]

We already have the appropriate range of sentences in terms of how long people actually serve in prison - e.g. c.25% of all life sentence prisoners are released on licence within 10 years. There is already flexibility in that, to take account of the circumstances. The new proposals would bring the initial sentencing process closer to the reality of the eventual tarriff.

[Loosehead]

Coyn for president... of the Galaxy, move over Zaphod!

[Goodsoulette]

I hope that wishy washy sentences done get dished out. Good point about Tony Martin, people seem to forget his victim was a child.

[1rovert]

Mr Bumble was right when he said "Then Sir, the law is an ass".

What a Country we live in, where two ten year olds can drag a two year old away from his Mother, stone him to death, and get away with it. When this is allowed to happen, does the judge think of the absolute terror this little mite went through, and the loss of the parents innocent little boy.

Other cruel crimes that are being commited today, with light sentances being given. Criminals are getting it too soft, we are told ' they have human rights' what is forgotten is these criminals are NOT human, and deserve anything done to them, including hung, drawn and quartered, the rope is an easy option.

I am a 70 year old man and I only hope I'm not here for the next ten, I hate to think what its going to be like.