Gary McKinnon (ASD computer hacker) extradition to US blocked by Theresa May

[LittenTree]

about time, too

Hurrah! I think we should bring back that other bloke, the businessman from Surrey.

Shiny can't say what I feel about your comment as MNHQ would delete it.

what a slur on the US justice system...

He already admitted hacking into the computers, so there is absolutely no question that he committed the offence, however since he has Asperger's means that he lacked the intent/capacity to substantiate a criminal prosecution.

I absolutely agree with him not being extradited, but scary that British citizens have to be protected from US justice...

I'm glad to hear this. I think it's the right decision. He hasn't even done anything.

Yes Brycie I agree, it did rather look as though that was a huge cock up, too.

I cannot understand why they didn't employ him.

He got into what is supposedly some of the most well protected places, they should be paying him to find flaws in their system, if he is that good.

YIPPEE YIPPEE YIPPEE

And now he will be prosecuted in the UK under the Computer Misuse Act
which he has always admitted.
Be found Guilty.
Be sentenced as per the guidelines
Which is less than he's already served on Remand
Go home to hopefully be hired as a consultant
and be blocked from Extradition under the Double Jeopardy principles.

AT LONG LAST the right result.

Thanks hothead and dawndonna you haven't made me feel like i'm a cunt.

I admit I know nothing or very little about Aspies/Autism and I didn't really understand they have a mask and could appear aloof /arrogant. I now know.

I am not in the habit of reading up on every medical or mental health condition before I reply to a post as many others on here might not do either.

If People took the time to try explain why as they have first hand knowledge , then Mumsnet would be a better place

Very pleased to hear this, it's the right decision.

Shiny

Tis true, though, they honestly don't understand why people would get upset by a facial expression. And they can't help doing the expressions, especially when it's a subject they find easy (often maths) and many other people don't.

I'm pleased with this result.

and am American, fwiw.

What a great decision. Excellent news.

Shiny I apologise, and we've both learned something today. I shouldn't jump in so quick !

I don't know why we bother having trials. Some people just look guilty/evil/arrogant/smug and that should be enough to put them away.

Athing I like you a lot you know.

if he is that good

From what he himself has said, it isn't so much a case of him being that good, more the US military being that bad (mind you, I don't suppose ours is any better). He alleges he got in by searching for computers with default passwords. That doesn't justify what he did, of course.

I am happy that he will not now be extradited.

prh
the Pentagon were pissed that only weeks after 9/11 he left messages on top people's login screens asking where they hid the UFOs.
The whole thing was motivated by them throwing a strop.
He's not a top hacker.
Their systems were just utterly dire.

flyoverthegoldenhill

I apologise too , thank you for being so gracious

On subject of GM looking' smug' in photos, I think it's possibly the way a lot of aspies look in photos. Aspie knows he's being photgraphed and knows he ought to smile cos that's what you do in photos innit. Sometimes looks like 'rabbit caught in headlights', but not 'smug' imo. Just a thought.

I hadn't realised how worried I was about this ruling. So relieved for all concerned directly, but also for all aspies who do silly (and sometimes illegal) things out of naivety.

I'm so pleased. I can't imagine the relief they must be feeling. I positively beamed when I heard

His mum is full of praise for the Daily Mail. . That will go down well on mumsnet.

GM really did US a favour showing them how dire their system was.

Dare I tell you all, my family of very Scottish and aspie sons reckon Teresa May wants to get on side of Scottish people in independence debate . But don't you all wish the media types and politicians would stop talking about 'asperger's sufferers'? grr!

Please, ShinyShoes, do read up on Asperger's. It's a very common condition and would take you not very long to enlighten yourself. You don't need to become an expert, just need the basic facts.

Another mum of an ASD boy, who feels relieved that GM isn't being extradited too.

DS gets so obsessed with stuff & will spend hours on the computer "researching". He is a young teen, but I could just imagine him "researching" weapons or nuclear fusion or something like that in a few years time & looking like he was a terrorist!

I have the pc in the family room at home, so that I can keep an eye on what he's up to & check the history of his searches too, but I expect when he is 18+ that may be harder for me to do.

ilovemydog as I understand it, the law on this exact issue has recently been changed so that the US military do not have to prove any damage was done. So, GM could not have defended himself. His guilt was assumed on the "damage" charge, regardless of whether he caused any damage or not

This goes right againt the UK principal of "innocent until proven guilty" that yes, many people in this country felt uncomfortable about the justice that he would face in the US.

I for one am very happy at the decision and rather surprised that I agreed with a Tory