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?

[Gromit]

He is probably guilty, so let the Americans sentence him to 10 years. Extradite him here after 18 months, and let him out 18 months after that.

Everyone's happy, the US have had their show trial, we get our man back pretty soon and the idiot might be taught a lesson not to do anything so stupid again.

[birdie1971]

Gromit – I too cannot believe your callousness in this case. This question has come up before and neither you or anyone else responded to my answer. Therefore, I shall repeat it verbatim:


“… However, there are a couple of reasons that – in this particular instance – I believe he [Gary McKinnon] should be tried over here.

First, the sentence that he would receive in the US (if he's found guilty) is likely to be 60 years. As he's already 43, this means that he will die in prison. So in effect, he could receive a life sentence.

Secondly, statements have been made by some US officials saying that they want to see him “fry” (!). This hardly suggests that he's going to receive a fair trial.

Thirdly, we have a policy in this country that rejects extradition to countries where the accused is likely to face a punishment that is grossly disproportionate to the crime or where the person in question may receive a capital punishment (see “fry” above).

I think the real reason that some US officials want to see Gary tried in their country is that he has made some very powerful people look very stupid indeed. This is not about US justice, it's about US revenge. I'm sure no one will disagree that the USA have a highly dubious record when it comes to human rights (Guantanamo Bay?) and for this reason and the other reasons above, I believe Gary McKinnon should be tried in the UK.”

[birdie1971]

Gromit -

“... so let the Americans sentence him to 10 years. Extradite him here after 18 months, and let him out 18 months after that”


Being (as you so obviously are) conversant with the intimate workings of the the American legal system and international prisoner transfer protocols, please can you explain how your above scenario will become a reality?

Or is this just whimsy on your part?

[kia cat]

I would have thought another way would be for us or the USA to employ him as use his knowledge as to how he hacked in. Sort of poacher turned gamekeeper idea. Banging him up serves no purpose, I think

[Slapshot]

Justice will only be served if he stands trial in the US, otherwise it will be some kind of fob off as we normally get in the UK. Unfortunately you do the crime you must responsible for your actions. Any issues, such as Autism, that he suffers from will be taken into account. How disabled is he? Is his dis order one which would preclude him standing trial?? I don't know if any of you have tried hacking into a computer system, it takes a keen brain and a huge amount of ability to break the simplest of codes and firewalls. I don't think he's as innocent as many make out he has to stand in the US

[Sandy-Wroe]

The Americans aren't so keen to let their citizens risk foreign justice. Still, when the organ grinder starts winding up the organ, our politicians here in the UK, feel obliged to dance to his tune.
If there was any decency in the world McKinnon would be tried here in the UK.

[sara3]

I feel very uncomfortable with it. he is definitely being thrown to the lions. we pander to the US, Oh Greater Power.

it's pathetic.

[jake-the-peg]

He has admitted breaking into American Computers

He's a criminal

Half of you are forever giving out about human rights but because it's an American computer and not your house now you're all for them protecting him.

The stench of hypocracy on this thread is breathtaking

[Ankou]

he broke the laws of their country - very serious ones - so he should face the consequences. if they agree that his autism is real and a contributory factor, then perhaps they will show some leniency.

[daffy654]

Gromit,do you have any understanding whatsoever of Asperger Syndrome? Calling Gary McKinnon an idiot is ridiculous, he is obviously far from that as he managed to get past some of the best computer security in the world with no help from anyone else. However, this doesn't mean he had any idea of the consequences of his actions. Hacking into the systems was not a malicious act, it was not an act of terrorism, he didn't intend to cause any damage or sell any information he found to a third party or organisation.

Slapshot,you also obviously have no idea about Asperger Syndrome,having the condition does not mean you are 'thick'. Have you see the film Rain Man? have you heard the term 'Savant'? Try educating yourself before making comments like this:

"I don't know if any of you have tried hacking into a computer system, it takes a keen brain and a huge amount of ability to break the simplest of codes and firewalls. I don't think he's as innocent as many make out he has to stand in the US"

[Sandy-Wroe]

How is it hypocritical to think that our politicians bend over backwards to please our American cousins?
McKinnon could be tried here in the UK where the alleged crime is said to have happened.

[jake-the-peg]

No he was here - the computer was in the US.

The access was obtained in America - it was a crime there

[jake-the-peg]

Well done penny - positive and informative comment.

What shall we give the hackers that get into your bank account? an Earldom?

[daffy654]

Anyone hacking into a bank account would be doing so for financial gain jake, that does not compare to what Gary McKinnon did.

[jake-the-peg]

He hacked into a military computer.

Take a stroll through a military base uninvited and see whether they think that's a crime.

Perhaps you don't think it would be a crime to come home and find somebody rifling through your computer files?

Or is that different too?

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry if I'm tetchy I've spent the last 15 years of my professional life fighting computer criminals and I don't like to see sympathy going to them and people playing it down as an offense.

He committed what is a crime in the US and the UK - the offense was in America - he has admitted it

If he has mitigating circumstances they should be heard in the US

This is not Liberia he's being extradited to the US has a proper judicial system

It's pretty open and shut case