Murder 'must not besmirch marines'

Jimbuna · 11-10-13, 09:02 AM

Whilst I find myself unable to condone what has happened, nor can I criticise....being in a war situation must have an undescribeable impact on your train of thought.

Quote:

The conviction of a Royal Marine for murdering an injured Afghan insurgent should not "besmirch" the organisation, Prime Minister David Cameron has said.
Speaking to marines at Downing Street, Mr Cameron said the "appalling" case in no way represented the spirit and proud history of the Royal Marines.
The sergeant, identified only as Marine A, was convicted over the shooting of the unknown man in 2011 on Friday.
A retired commander has said he should be shown leniency when he is sentenced.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24877081

Herr-Berbunch · 11-10-13, 09:17 AM

I agree - can't condone nor criticise, the deaths and mutilation of friends in the period running up to this must surely have had an impact but can't be an excuse.

Only the other day I read something from an Argentinian officer involved in a fierce battle in the Falklands. He'd written to the opposing regiment's association thanking them for dealing professionally with the wounded and dead immediately after the battle. Big difference here, but then it's not a uniformed army they are against.

Platapus · 11-10-13, 10:55 AM

[quote[Marine A faces a mandatory life sentence but a minimum term will be set on 6 December. [/quote]

I am not sure I understand this sentence. Is this some nuance of UK Law?

Jimbuna · 11-10-13, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

[quote[Marine A faces a mandatory life sentence but a minimum term will be set on 6 December.

I am not sure I understand this sentence. Is this some nuance of UK Law?[/QUOTE]

A life sentence in the UK is mandatory if convicted of murder but the judge then decides the minimum term in years that must be served before any consideration can be given to a release date.

CaptainMattJ. · 11-10-13, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I am not sure I understand this sentence. Is this some nuance of UK Law?

A life sentence in the UK is mandatory if convicted of murder but the judge then decides the minimum term in years that must be served before any consideration can be given to a release date.[/QUOTE]
Is there any circumstances where this is not the case? Something like a crime of passion kind of scenario?

Jimbuna · 11-10-13, 02:48 PM

It is possible to be found guilty of murder but after taking into account any mitigation the judge may allow you to walk free.

I'm not sure if and how many times this has happened but a little research would probably uncover something.

Life as a prison sentence generally means a minimum of seven years upward to actual life.

TarJak · 11-10-13, 04:29 PM

In this case the problem comes more from the presence of a camera. No camera no case. Sad outcome for all concerned.

Jimbuna · 11-10-13, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

In this case the problem comes more from the presence of a camera. No camera no case. Sad outcome for all concerned.

Rgr that.

11-10-13, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

In this case the problem comes more from the presence of a camera. No camera no case. Sad outcome for all concerned.

Uh, what?
In this case, the problem was a soldier failing his duty knowingly breaking the law/Geneva convention, cam or no cam. You make it sound as it would have been better to sweep it under the rug. Nothing happened, move along.

Do I understand his actions? Completely!
Yet that doesn't make it right. Law is law, he knew what he was doing.

Jimbuna · 11-10-13, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nippelspanner

Uh, what?
In this case, the problem was a soldier failing his duty knowingly breaking the law/Geneva convention, cam or no cam. You make it sound as it would have been better to sweep it under the rug. Nothing happened, move along.

Do I understand his actions? Completely!
Yet that doesn't make it right. Law is law, he knew what he was doing.

And he has been found guilty...hopefully an appropriate sentence will be forthcoming.

TarJak · 11-10-13, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nippelspanner

Uh, what?
In this case, the problem was a soldier failing his duty knowingly breaking the law/Geneva convention, cam or no cam. You make it sound as it would have been better to sweep it under the rug. Nothing happened, move along.

Do I understand his actions? Completely!
Yet that doesn't make it right. Law is law, he knew what he was doing.

Not at all. He did wrong and has been convicted for it. However had there been no camera the case is very unlikely to have come about at all.

11-10-13, 05:47 PM

Yea. We want to be so perfectly correct to the enemy out to destroy our way of life.

How many of the Taliban have been convicted of doing the same thing?
How many of the Axis troops during WWII did the same?
How many of those actually hung for those crimes?
How many Allied troops did the same?

War is Hell. You kill the other side.
Given that I once shot a Guy in the foot, then killed the others that came to help him, then killed him?
I should be in prison. eh?

TarJak · 11-10-13, 05:51 PM

Probably but not for that.

11-10-13, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TarJak

Probably but not for that.

I thought we were never gonna bring up the Midget Pony in Houston!

TarJak · 11-10-13, 06:09 PM

I I forgot. You know you shouldn't do that stuff while driving.

11-10-13, 09:17 AM	#2
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I agree - can't condone nor criticise, the deaths and mutilation of friends in the period running up to this must surely have had an impact but can't be an excuse. Only the other day I read something from an Argentinian officer involved in a fierce battle in the Falklands. He'd written to the opposing regiment's association thanking them for dealing professionally with the wounded and dead immediately after the battle. Big difference here, but then it's not a uniformed army they are against. __________________

11-10-13, 10:55 AM	#3
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	[quote[Marine A faces a mandatory life sentence but a minimum term will be set on 6 December. [/quote] I am not sure I understand this sentence. Is this some nuance of UK Law? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

11-10-13, 02:48 PM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	It is possible to be found guilty of murder but after taking into account any mitigation the judge may allow you to walk free. I'm not sure if and how many times this has happened but a little research would probably uncover something. Life as a prison sentence generally means a minimum of seven years upward to actual life. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

11-10-13, 04:29 PM	#7
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	In this case the problem comes more from the presence of a camera. No camera no case. Sad outcome for all concerned.

11-10-13, 05:47 PM	#12
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Yea. We want to be so perfectly correct to the enemy out to destroy our way of life. How many of the Taliban have been convicted of doing the same thing? How many of the Axis troops during WWII did the same? How many of those actually hung for those crimes? How many Allied troops did the same? War is Hell. You kill the other side. Given that I once shot a Guy in the foot, then killed the others that came to help him, then killed him? I should be in prison. eh?

11-10-13, 05:51 PM	#13
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Probably but not for that.

11-10-13, 06:09 PM	#15
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	I I forgot. You know you shouldn't do that stuff while driving.