Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

I agree. He shouldn't be made an example of. I really hate it when certain sentences seem to be given to "send a message". I hated it when it was done for the London riots, for that idiot that scaled the Cenotaph, and I would hate it here. It's unfair to the individual in question to get a harsher sentence that he or she would otherwise get. He should be treated as anyone else would which means he isn't made an example of and he has the same right for migration to be taken into account (but he isn't exempt from justice for his profession).

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

But he is exempt (sort of) if he is mentally Ill,, you only have to look at the numbers of ex soldiers living on the streets, in jail or with drink/drug dependency to know we have a massive problem and that's not counting the constant battle stress he has been under. Yes migration might be his best bet, to a country that values his service.

---------- Post added at 07:20 ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 ----------

Unfortunately there is an argument, the winners make the rules, they shot prisoners they went to jail or got hung, we shot prisoners like on the crown of thorns hill in caen and the commanding officer of the Somersets said the remorse shown by the men was punishment enough.

---------- Post added at 07:22 ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 ----------

He reaped what he sowed that's for sure, funny though isn't it, that guy got a medal, ours gets a courts martial and a prison sentence.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

10 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25266206

So not as high as it could have been, it's lower than some suggested, but no clemency either.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

If a soldier is sent off to war, it is his duty to kill an enemy or be killed. Under the Geneva Convention, all soldiers act under this rule that they must follow this rule.

BUT, in many countries any 'enemies' are not interested in this rule and shoot to kill. What are soldiers expected to do, go into 'enemy territory' and stand up and wait to be shot.

I get furios when we hear of soldiers being arrested for 'murder' of an insurgent in an act of war. for failing to do his duty, we should be giving the guy a medal for shooting an 'enemy'

IF an enemy walked in the streets of London and killed someone in the street, and someone killed that person to try and save that person from dying - would he be charged with murder as well.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

he will be out in about three years - do the sentence in open prison - and you just emerge good at table tennis - he won't be mistreated ;)

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

Well hopefully he'll be treated with kindness and respect, acknowledged for being a fall guy, write a book and make lots of money,for his future.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

cut them in half with a machine gun and then give them a bandaid

charging a man with murder in this place is like handing out speeding tickets at the indy 500


quotes from Apocalypse Now - 1979

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

he is hardly a fall guy he openly admitted breaching the GC so he is guilty and got the sentence for the crime.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

There is right and there is wrong in life and no matter what way some people put it what he did was wrong.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

I do not know this guy I know no one he knows so it has no effect on me or my sleep. I could do with a memory foam mattress though fancy buying me one for Christmas??;)

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

Torn on this one. On one hand there seems to be a school of thought that any soldier is obviously brave (which I agree with) and willing to die for us to have the right to moan, whinge and post utter bobbins on internet forums and therefore should be afforded some sort of leeway should they ever end up in court for anything (there are people who believe this sort of thing, I've seen it online many times).

On the other hand I do not want a two-tier legal system in the UK. From what I can see in this case the guy acted unlawfully. Had he not shot and killed the man he may well have rejoined the enemy, picked up a gun (or bomb) and killed one of our own. In fact I believe there's every chance of that.

However I am against legal decisions and outcomes being made on the basis of such tenuous "what ifs".

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

The main thing here is he was tried and convicted in a military court and not a civilian one so really all those who argue the decision specially the ex military really do not have a case imo. As I have said before though I do feel the rules of engagement should be changed

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

Just a bloody scapegoat for all the do gooders and political correctness merchants, the Geneva Convention does not exist in a place like Afganistan. Ten years in a military jail poor man.. yes arguably he did not show any compassion for a killer. I would give him a bigger gun, pat on the back and send him back.

Re: Marine killer deserves clemency
 

What are our guys and gals supposed to do in a situation such as - an insurgent or you.

To me its waste of time for anyone to join the army, you go into a battle, and you shoot the enemy, and you get charged with it.

Its about time these generals and court martials realised one thing, you help out your own people in battle. Its like saying the insurgents can kill anyone and get away with it, but we cannot. doesn't make sense to me.