Would-Be Underwear Plane Bomber Pleads Not Guilty

[Jimbeaux]

You with his a$$ on fire, how do you plead?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/08/terror.hearing...

[Mst007]

The fker should be executed

[eharding]

I can't wait to hear what his defence in court is going to be like.

[Spiritual_Beggar]

Technically, he didn't plea at all.

It was his lawyer who pleaded not guilty for him.

But that's the same difference I suppose.

[Balmoral Green]

I would have thought that there are certain circumstances where there should quite simply not be an option of pleading not guilty, as that cannot be the case, regardless of the defence or prosecution position, or judicial procedure. I would imagine there are a percentage of cases where guilt is simply a given. Like this one.

If there isn't a mechanism in law to allow for this, there should be.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 8th January 21:43

[eharding]

Balmoral Green said:

I would have thought that there are certain circumstances where there should quite simply not be an option of pleading not guilty, as that cannot be the case, regardless of the defence or prosecution position, or judicial procedure. I would imagine there are a percentage of cases where guilt is simply a given. Like this one.

Judge: "How does the accused plead?"

Accused: "Not Guilty"

Judge: "Liar, Liar, Your pants were on fire - 150 years without parole. Take the prisoner down"

[i'm no superhero]

How long before he claims he was mentally unstable and therefore cannot take responsibility for his actions...

[hairykrishna]

What the hell? Not guilty? He had 80g of PETN stuffed in his (flaming) pants. Maybe he's going for the 'Chewbacca defense'.

[eharding]

Guam said:

eharding said:

Balmoral Green said:

I would have thought that there are certain circumstances where there should quite simply not be an option of pleading not guilty, as that cannot be the case, regardless of the defence or prosecution position, or judicial procedure. I would imagine there are a percentage of cases where guilt is simply a given. Like this one.

Judge: "How does the accused plead?"

Accused: "Not Guilty"

Judge: "Liar, Liar, Your pants were on fire - 150 years without parole. Take the prisoner down"

Pah too slow with that gag did that two hours ago on the other thread do keep up at the back

Arse!

[grumbledoak]

I don't see the problem. You should be able to plead as you see fit, it is one of the basics of our justice system. He was caught in the act, so he is unlikely to be set free to live on an island somewhere...

[AndrewW-G]

My guess is he'll plead diminished responsibility, the voices in his head told him to do it, etc etc etc..................no doubt it would work in the UK, but just maybe the US will show some sense and convict him regardless of mental state

[Mr_B]

Well, I guess there's nothing to be lost when everyone knows he's guilty. Least this way he gets a few weeks getting out every day for the court hearing.

[fadeaway]

Balmoral Green said:

I would have thought that there are certain circumstances where there should quite simply not be an option of pleading not guilty, as that cannot be the case, regardless of the defence or prosecution position, or judicial procedure. I would imagine there are a percentage of cases where guilt is simply a given. Like this one.

If there isn't a mechanism in law to allow for this, there should be.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 8th January 21:43

Mmm, so there would be times when the state could deem you guilty. No need to present evidence. Individual not given chance to defend themselves. And punishment based entirely on law that was deemed to have been broken - ie situation and/or extenuating circumstances not taken into account.

Because no country would ever possibly abuse that. Or allow public opinion or bent/lazy cops to result in it being abused.

[Kaelic]

Ah the committed ROP fanatic

as soon as the chips are down he pleads like a baby, what happened to standing firm by your beliefs and showing the world that your way is the right way... Oh yeah lol!

Save the cost of keeping him alive, give every passenger on that aircraft a hammer and 5 minutes each with him in a room.

[DonnyMac]

Let’s think.

No; that’s it.

[Lucas CAV]

Balmoral Green said:

I would have thought that there are certain circumstances where there should quite simply not be an option of pleading not guilty, as that cannot be the case, regardless of the defence or prosecution position, or judicial procedure. I would imagine there are a percentage of cases where guilt is simply a given. Like this one.

If there isn't a mechanism in law to allow for this, there should be.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Friday 8th January 21:43

no way!

are you sure?

[Jasandjules]

Mr_B said:

Well, I guess there's nothing to be lost when everyone knows he's guilty. Least this way he gets a few weeks getting out every day for the court hearing.

He will get a higher sentence BUT will be able to give his evidence in court and basically gain publicity for his cause (which as he was willing to die for it I am guessing a harsher sentence is not exactly a problem for him).

[Ravell]

AndrewW-G said:

the voices in his head told him to do it

Surely that bit is true though? The voice in his head shouting "God is telling me to do this". Not that it changes the fact that he's guilty as hell.

[10 Pence Short]

If he wants a trial, let him have one. At least that way the evidence can be aired and the sentence be seen to be just.

Just don't mention OJ.

[Muntu]

Why is he in court in the first place? The undibomber is an enemy combatant that failed to bring down a civilian aircraft, and as such should be treated as one, not given the same rights as a US Citizen that got caught robbing a 711.

Barry O seems to think that this is some sort of crime spree obviously