I'd say why not. 21 years is a bloody long time to spend in prison, reformed character or not.Rumertron wrote:OK, but he was convicted in a Scottish after due process and we don't really know until an appeal goes through if it is an unsafe conviction. The suggestion is that he will die before the appeal has time to go through its process.
Given the above should he be released?
Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
He wasn't actually arrested until 1999.Pappa wrote:I'd say why not. 21 years is a bloody long time to spend in prison, reformed character or not.Rumertron wrote:OK, but he was convicted in a Scottish after due process and we don't really know until an appeal goes through if it is an unsafe conviction. The suggestion is that he will die before the appeal has time to go through its process.
Given the above should he be released?
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
There is an added element here, which sadly I suspect is colouring the thinking. Gadaffi is widely believed to have at the very least approved the bombing. Since then he has given up his nuclear programme and come into the 'tent' of good guys (hmmmm..).
I suspect there is a political desire to offer a symbolic reward..in addition to the millions in incentives already poured in.
I suspect there is a political desire to offer a symbolic reward..in addition to the millions in incentives already poured in.
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
20 years then, assuming he was on remand during his case. Still, a bloody long time to be locked up for.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:He wasn't actually arrested until 1999.Pappa wrote:I'd say why not. 21 years is a bloody long time to spend in prison, reformed character or not.Rumertron wrote:OK, but he was convicted in a Scottish after due process and we don't really know until an appeal goes through if it is an unsafe conviction. The suggestion is that he will die before the appeal has time to go through its process.
Given the above should he be released?
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
err... 2009 - 1999 = ?Pappa wrote:20 years then, assuming he was on remand during his case. Still, a bloody long time to be locked up for.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:He wasn't actually arrested until 1999.Pappa wrote:I'd say why not. 21 years is a bloody long time to spend in prison, reformed character or not.Rumertron wrote:OK, but he was convicted in a Scottish after due process and we don't really know until an appeal goes through if it is an unsafe conviction. The suggestion is that he will die before the appeal has time to go through its process.
Given the above should he be released?

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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
Xamonas Chegwé wrote:err... 2009 - 1999 = ?Pappa wrote:20 years then, assuming he was on remand during his case. Still, a bloody long time to be locked up for.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:He wasn't actually arrested until 1999.Pappa wrote:I'd say why not. 21 years is a bloody long time to spend in prison, reformed character or not.Rumertron wrote:OK, but he was convicted in a Scottish after due process and we don't really know until an appeal goes through if it is an unsafe conviction. The suggestion is that he will die before the appeal has time to go through its process.
Given the above should he be released?

OK.... 10 years for murdering lots of people.
Um... leaving the possibly dodgy conviction bit aside for the moment... I would probably say that he should do the 14 years then, unless he has only 3 months to live, in which case he could get early release on compassionate grounds (as is the current system). I think even multiple murderers should get a bit of freedom before they die, unless they're deemed to still be a risk.
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
Everybody in prison says they're innocent. Some of them might be. Most aren't.lordpasternack wrote:Some contest that his conviction has always been unsafe. There is some doubt over whether he is actually guilty. He's currently attempting to appeal...Gawdzilla wrote:What was compassionate about killing 270 people, and affecting the lives of thousands more?
Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
He should be released... only if a pack of rabid rottweillers are going to be released right after him.
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
What? You a dog-hater?Ian wrote:He should be released... only if a pack of rabid rottweillers are going to be released right after him.

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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
It isn't just that he says he's innocent - it's that some of the evidence he was convicted based on is purportedly a little shaky. There is actually adequate room for some real doubt about his guilt.Gawdzilla wrote:Everybody in prison says they're innocent. Some of them might be. Most aren't.lordpasternack wrote:Some contest that his conviction has always been unsafe. There is some doubt over whether he is actually guilty. He's currently attempting to appeal...Gawdzilla wrote:What was compassionate about killing 270 people, and affecting the lives of thousands more?
Then they for sudden joy did weep,
And I for sorrow sung,
That such a king should play bo-peep,
And go the fools among.
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach
thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.
And I for sorrow sung,
That such a king should play bo-peep,
And go the fools among.
Prithee, nuncle, keep a schoolmaster that can teach
thy fool to lie: I would fain learn to lie.
Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
If he has three months left to live, what's the point of keeping him?
By all means keep an eye on him, but if his conviction is shaky then just let him out while it's reviewed.
By all means keep an eye on him, but if his conviction is shaky then just let him out while it's reviewed.
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
It isn't going to be reviewed.born-again-atheist wrote:If he has three months left to live, what's the point of keeping him?
By all means keep an eye on him, but if his conviction is shaky then just let him out while it's reviewed.
One (of many) conspiracy theories behind all of this is that his illness is a fake that has been drummed up between the British and Libyan governments as an excuse to get him back to Libya and to prevent inconvenient details about who was behind the crash and what deals were made coming to light.
The appeal has been dropped in order to expedite his release on compassionate grounds.
Nobody will ever know what really happened. All we do know is that one of the men involved has served 10 years and is about to die. Feel free to speculate about the rest.
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You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
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Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
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Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
We don't know he was involved.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:...All we do know is that one of the men involved has served 10 years and is about to die...

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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
Well either we trust the legal system or we don't. At this point he is convicted.Horwood Beer-Master wrote:We don't know he was involved.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:...All we do know is that one of the men involved has served 10 years and is about to die...
The latest development is that he has dropped his appeal (yesterday). I read elsewhere that he cannot be released if there is an appeal in process - which seems odd to me.
Also the Americans have expressed their unhappiness with his release on compassionate grounds so it looks like he is fucked.
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Re: Should the Lockerbie bomber be released?
No sane person entirely trusts the legal system (still less the Scottish legal system).Rumertron wrote:Well either we trust the legal system or we don't...Horwood Beer-Master wrote:We don't know he was involved.Xamonas Chegwé wrote:...All we do know is that one of the men involved has served 10 years and is about to die...

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