Pentagon Hacker one step closer to Extradition

[5intheface]

A British man responsible for the largest military hacking incident in American history was today, one step away from extradition to the US following a decision by the British CPS not to seek charges against him.

UK Pentagon hacker nears extradition to U.S. - CNN.com

Gary McKinnon who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a severe form of Autism, accessed almost 100 computer systems, reportedly costing the Federal Government about $1million.

Even though it is accepted that McKinnon has/had no connection with any subversive organisations and acted alone from a conviction that the Americans were hiding evidence of UFOs, Washington has again reiterated its intention to persue his extradition.

Only a review by the British Home Secretary Juqui Smith now stands between McKinnon and his transfer to the USA where he could face 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

Medical experts believe McKinnon needs treatment not punishment and have warned he would be mentally incapable of dealing with incarceration.

Anyone else think the yanks should wise up and renew their subscription to Norton if they don't want every X Files fan in the world reading their most guarded secrets?

Personally, I think McKinnon did them a favour, a million dollars for proof that your back door is lying open?

[Christine Murray]

http://www.freegary.org.uk : l have up some of the case onsite too. New Labour have not been enamoured of the European Convention on Human Rights.

[5intheface]

OpenDNS . l have up some of the case onsite too. new labour have not been enamoured of the european convention on human rights.

Is that a link with more info, dot? I'm just getting 'cannot display the page'.

[Christine Murray]

Free Gary McKinnon - or at least try him in the UK

[drkpower]

What's the problem here?

He knew what he was doing - he continued to do it over a year - he accessed computers at the Pentagon; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Meade, Maryland; the Earle Naval Weapons Station in Colts Neck, New Jersey; and the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, among others.

Just because he has a condition does not absolve him from criminal responsibility.

[5intheface]

What's the problem here?

He knew what he was doing - he continued to do it over a year - he accessed computers at the Pentagon; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Meade, Maryland; the Earle Naval Weapons Station in Colts Neck, New Jersey; and the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, among others.

Just because he has a condition does not absolve him from criminal responsibility.

Oh you're a tough guy, want to beat him up too? Maybe Camp xray? That'll sort these commies out.

The contention is that he didn't know what he was doing and I would have thought that having a condition would indeed have the potential to absolve an individual from full responsibility. Can you imagine the personal turmoil this long running saga has been causing someone with Asperger's or do you understand how that condition affects a person?

Your reply is very short on thought and even shorter on understanding.

[Christine Murray]

The leaders in the UK speak movingly of the disability of kids and the importance of diagnosis..the importance of the NHS - amazed quite frankly at the hypocrisy when it comes to other people's disabled loved ones.

[drkpower]

Oh you're a tough guy, want to beat him up too? Maybe Camp xray? That'll sort these commies out.

The contention is that he didn't know what he was doing and I would have thought that having a condition would indeed have the potential to absolve an individual from full responsibility. Can you imagine the personal turmoil this long running saga has been causing someone with Asperger's or do you understand how that condition affects a person?

Your reply is very short on thought and even shorter on understanding.

Ouch!

I just want him to accept responsibility for his actions.
I know a bit about Aspergers and quite a lot about criminal responsibility in the context of mental health.
What aspect of his Asperger's resulted in him in not knowing what he was doing or absolving him from criminal responsibility?

[5intheface]

the leaders in the uk speak movingly of the disability of kids and the importance of diagnosis..the importance of the nhs - amazed quite frankly at the hypocrisy when it comes to other people's disabled loved ones.

True, and very much in focus at this time with the sad death of David Cameron's son. The major crime in this case was the failure of any professionals to diagnose this man's condition which doctors have said was one of the most obvious and classic examples they had ever seen.

[Thranduil]

McKinnon's lawyer, Karen Todner, complained Thursday that the United States has never provided evidence to prosecutors or McKinnon's legal team to support their extradition request -- and in fact, under Britain's Extradition Act of 2003, U.S. prosecutors are not required to.

They are going to hand over a citizen of theirs to a foreign government without first seeing any of the evidence against him? That is wrong, but then again given the revelations from Guantanamo regarding UK citizens, perhaps not surprising... i am glad i am not a UK subject...i mean citizen.