Lockerbie Bomber Set Free

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't agree that the release on compassionate grounds was a horrible decision. I personally thought it was the right decision. The reasoning is a little too sophisticated for those who beat their chests when heinous crimes are involved however, so I don't expect you to understand how I arrived at this conclusion.

I think a lot of people would feel easier about the release if the guy had served more than 8 years. Cancer isn't exactly a fun way to end your life, but I can certainly see why someone would feel that justice was somehow cheated - especially given how long it took to secure a conviction in the first place.

No doubt that is true, but the compassionate release necessarily means he would not be serving more than approximately 3 months more (as assessed by a panel of medical experts as I understand it) and that 3 months more under the scottish penal code would probably have taken place in a hospital as apposed to a prison cell with his medical requirements taken care of (pain relief etc etc).

If one is going to feel cheated because the sentence is too short as a result of his being 'released' by death from natural causes the place of his death does not really materially change that feeling of being cheated at least, I can't see how it can be.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't agree that the release on compassionate grounds was a horrible decision. I personally thought it was the right decision. The reasoning is a little too sophisticated for those who beat their chests when heinous crimes are involved however, so I don't expect you to understand how I arrived at this conclusion.

I think a lot of people would feel easier about the release if the guy had served more than 8 years. Cancer isn't exactly a fun way to end your life, but I can certainly see why someone would feel that justice was somehow cheated - especially given how long it took to secure a conviction in the first place.

No doubt that is true, but the compassionate release necessarily means he would not be serving more than approximately 3 months more (as assessed by a panel of medical experts as I understand it) and that 3 months more under the scottish penal code would probably have taken place in a hospital as apposed to a prison cell with his medical requirements taken care of (pain relief etc etc).

If one is going to feel cheated because the sentence is too short as a result of his being 'released' by death from natural causes the place of his death does not really materially change that feeling of being cheated at least, I can't see how it can be.

Well yes - there's not much that can be done about terminal illness.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't agree that the release on compassionate grounds was a horrible decision. I personally thought it was the right decision. The reasoning is a little too sophisticated for those who beat their chests when heinous crimes are involved however, so I don't expect you to understand how I arrived at this conclusion.

Well maybe you can explain this sophisticated reasoning to me, I will do everything I can to wrap my little American brain around it.

From what I read he could of chose not to release him, so like I said from the get go what a stupid decision.*Beats chest*

I suggest you read up what exactly constitutes the quality of mercy and compassion. Perhaps when/if you understand these concepts you will understand how this release qualified under those terms.

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

That's a nice drive by one liner there Charles, right up there with the best.

so? do you feel it's inaccurate?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I should add though that the UK Govt didn't release Myra Hindley - who died in hospital (and had served nearly 40 years in prison). Though that had a lot to do with the Home Secretary's discretionary powers and trying to avoid getting egg on the government's face if there was a public outcry.

Edited August 20, 2009 by Private Pike

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't agree that the release on compassionate grounds was a horrible decision. I personally thought it was the right decision. The reasoning is a little too sophisticated for those who beat their chests when heinous crimes are involved however, so I don't expect you to understand how I arrived at this conclusion.

I think a lot of people would feel easier about the release if the guy had served more than 8 years. Cancer isn't exactly a fun way to end your life, but I can certainly see why someone would feel that justice was somehow cheated - especially given how long it took to secure a conviction in the first place.

No doubt that is true, but the compassionate release necessarily means he would not be serving more than approximately 3 months more (as assessed by a panel of medical experts as I understand it) and that 3 months more under the scottish penal code would probably have taken place in a hospital as apposed to a prison cell with his medical requirements taken care of (pain relief etc etc).

If one is going to feel cheated because the sentence is too short as a result of his being 'released' by death from natural causes the place of his death does not really materially change that feeling of being cheated at least, I can't see how it can be.

Well yes - there's not much that can be done about terminal illness.

Not much. The real question is whether compassion should be extended to this class of criminal - Scottish law has decided that indeed it should be. Under those terms - and despite the political furor, the decision to release was understandable and in my opinion sound. I found it interesting though, that he chose to deliberately highlight the denial of the prisoner transfer and I think there is something to be read into this - and I certainly think there is the stink of political corruption in that whole Libya/UK prisoner transfer deal.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I agree its hard to fault the secretary in making his decision - given that he can derive no clear political benefit from it (unlike the UK Home Secretary) and was clearly prepared to accept a public backlash - presumably why he explained his reasoning in minute detail.

[Peikko 1,575]

I should add though that the UK Govt didn't release Myra Hindley - who died in hospital (and had served nearly 40 years in prison). Though that had a lot to do with the Home Secretary's discretionary powers and trying to avoid getting egg on the government's face if there was a public outcry.

I disagreed with that decision too. It takes balls to face the chattering classes - the government didn't have any.

[Peikko 1,575]

I agree its hard to fault the secretary in making his decision - given that he can derive no clear political benefit from it (unlike the UK Home Secretary) and was clearly prepared to accept a public backlash - presumably why he explained his reasoning in minute detail.

I presume the only alternate view to offer is that somehow, behind closed doors he was pushed to this decision by the UK government, a 'falling on one's sword' action - but I don't get that impression from the things he said - although it's possible, but I haven't read that version anywhere.

[zqt3344 21]

Met some Scots while on vacation this year in Mexico, somehow this decision does not surprise me, once again Europe shows no resolve in fighting terrorism.

Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi.... mastermind of the Pan Am bombing over Lockerbie Scotland in 1988 was set free and is back in Libya

All i can say is...... How F_ _ _ _ NG D I S G U S T I N G and and insult to those that lost their lives and their families

Terminaly Ill or not... this guy should have rot in prison

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Insightful as always zqt. People don't die in prison - they die in hospitals at the public expense.

You can rest assured that the Scottish government is not paying for the mans end of life care.

[zqt3344 21]

Then a bullet to the head or execution would do nicely to alleviate that cost burden on the Scottish government would it not. Scots screwed the pooch on this one!

Insightful as always zqt. People don't die in prison - they die in hospitals at the public expense.

You can rest assured that the Scottish government is not paying for the mans end of life care.

[Peikko 1,575]

Oh dear - another thread bites the dust.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Bullets to the head...

Wonder where that is legal...

[zqt3344 21]

No just suspended in animation though.

Oh dear - another thread bites the dust.

You are right too much cost, then lethal injection. Why not look at how many this man killed that were innocent, why to set him free is beyond belief! No rational for justice here!

Bullets to the head...

Wonder where that is legal...