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Sgt Alexander Blackman


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Old 01-04-2014, 18:20
Joey_J
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This argument that those of us who haven't served in the military are in no position to judge infuriates the hell out of me.

It's like when people say that unless you're a woman you're not allowed a view on abortion.

This is a liberal democracy. Those with particular expertise or experience of certain things should certainly be listened to, but in the end the decision on whether certain behaviour is permitted in our society is one for us all to make.

Blackman should be grateful for his far too lenient sentence.
In your opinion

Hes unfortunate with his sentence in mine
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Old 01-04-2014, 20:22
phylo_roadking
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As with the first thread on this - before THIS one gets bent out pof shape too much, there's a link on the Wiki entry for Sgt Blackman that takes you to the very clearly-written and concise Judge's summation. It explains in great but very understandable detail exactly what Blackman did and how it was wrong on many levels, and it ALSO explains the various reasons why Blackman received ten years instead of the normal thirty.

It's probably so well-written, clear and concise BECAUSE this was always going to be a controversial case with many ramifications in civil society AND the military.
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Old 25-05-2014, 11:23
sjp001
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As you may know #AlexanderBlackman lost his appeal. Quite rightly in my view, these soldiers are not above the law. There is an online campaign by an ex marine named John Davies, whose support seems to be coming from far right fascists and racists. Thankfully the campaign is proving fruitless and this convicted murderer is going nowhere for 7 1/2 years.
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Old 25-05-2014, 11:40
blueblade
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The guy should've got a bloody medal, not a prison sentence.
He killed a seriously injured unarmed man.

That's murder in my book, and he was lucky to only get 10 years.

Even if the man was (apparently) dying anyway, he should still not have done what he did.
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Old 25-05-2014, 11:53
sjp001
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He killed a seriously injured unarmed man.

That's murder in my book, and he was lucky to only get 10 years.

Even if the man was (apparently) dying anyway, he should still not have done what he did.
I agree fully.
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Old 25-05-2014, 11:55
Kapellmeister
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Yes, that was the real mistake.
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:00
Rowdy
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As with the first thread on this - before THIS one gets bent out pof shape too much, there's a link on the Wiki entry for Sgt Blackman that takes you to the very clearly-written and concise Judge's summation. It explains in great but very understandable detail exactly what Blackman did and how it was wrong on many levels, and it ALSO explains the various reasons why Blackman received ten years instead of the normal thirty.

It's probably so well-written, clear and concise BECAUSE this was always going to be a controversial case with many ramifications in civil society AND the military.
This raises a good point. We weren't at the trial, we didn't hear all the evidence, so how can we judge?
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:05
Tony Tiger
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This raises a good point. We weren't at the trial, we didn't hear all the evidence, so how can we judge?
Because we are people capable of forming general opinions on an event without necessarily having to know every minute detail concerning it.
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:10
Rowdy
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Because we are people capable of forming general opinions on an event without necessarily having to know every minute detail concerning it.
General opinions, yes. But enough to be able to say what punishment he should get, no.
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:12
TardisSteve
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He killed a seriously injured unarmed man.

That's murder in my book, and he was lucky to only get 10 years.

Even if the man was (apparently) dying anyway, he should still not have done what he did.
agreed 100%
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:23
Tony Tiger
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General opinions, yes. But enough to be able to say what punishment he should get, no.
Well when the entire issue with the public seems to be whether he should face punishment at all...
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:31
Will_Bennetts
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I agree he was lucky to get 10 years and he's no different to any other common murderer , just because he is I'm the army . However I don't think his family should have been identified.
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:36
kippeh
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I agree he was lucky to get 10 years and he's no different to any other common murderer , just because he is I'm the army . However I don't think his family should have been identified.
He's had his sentence reduced to 8 years now following his appeal.
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Old 25-05-2014, 12:54
Rowdy
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Well when the entire issue with the public seems to be whether he should face punishment at all...
Good point - when you say it like that, it puts a different complexion on it. Sure, he did wrong and should be punished.
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Old 25-05-2014, 22:01
U96
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Aye,he got caught.Someone of his experience should have known better.Lesson to be learned there for the younger guys.
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Old 16-12-2016, 20:04
blueblade
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Sorry to bump this old thread, but this guy is hoping his sentence of ten years for murdering an Afghan insurgent, subsequently reduced to 8 years, will be quashed and that ahead of that, he will be granted bail.

Whilst I appreciate the pressure soldiers may be under on the battle front, I don't buy his bollocks about believing the guy was dead, as you'd check. Also he admitted to his mates that what he'd done broke the Geneva convention.

I hope he loses, because I don't believe his excuses. I think he knew exactly what he was doing.

Sorry it's a Sun link, but it's the most recent one I can find

He shot the insurgent, who had been seriously injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter, in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol before quoting a phrase from Shakespeare as the man convulsed and died in front of him.

Blackman told him: ”There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil, you c***. It’s nothing you wouldn’t do to us.”

He then turned to comrades and said: ”Obviously this doesn’t go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention.”

The shooting was captured on a camera mounted on the helmet of another Royal Marine. Two junior colleagues were cleared of murder.

During his trial, Blackman – who was known at that stage as Marine A – said he believed the victim was already dead and he was taking out his anger on a corpse
Bit in bold is true. Heard it this morning on BBC news - captured on helmet cam.
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Old 16-12-2016, 20:14
Dotheboyshall
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It's hard to see what he could appeal on, no one disputes he shot the victim.
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Old 16-12-2016, 20:15
IJoinedInMay
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Why does need to be bailed to appeal the case? I feel it's a bit off that even if his appeal is unsuccessful, there's a good chance he will have been able to spend Christmas with his family.
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Old 16-12-2016, 20:22
jimbo1962
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There are a lot of old murderers in England, Scotland. Wales who are getting nervous about being held to account for what they did in Northern Iteland
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Old 16-12-2016, 20:31
Evo102
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Anybody know on what basis he is appealing?

I've heard his solicitor indicating that he might try to play the PTSD card, but that would still be manslaughter surely?

And elsewhere I've seen some of his supporters state that he will try and get his conviction overturned on the basis that his victim was already dead when he shot him and you can't murder a dead person.
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Old 16-12-2016, 21:46
GusGus
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There are a lot of old murderers in England, Scotland. Wales who are getting nervous about being held to account for what they did in Northern Iteland

A couple of Paras are to face trial in N Ireland over the shooting dead of an IRA man years ago
Soldiers are not social workers, they are trained to kill and nobody should be surprised if they do
Where will this end, any survivors of WW2 getting prosecuted. War is war, and people get killed. In Balckmans case this unarmed mans hew shot was a Taliban fighter, no innocent
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Old 16-12-2016, 21:48
blueblade
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Anybody know on what basis he is appealing?

I've heard his solicitor indicating that he might try to play the PTSD card, but that would still be manslaughter surely?

And elsewhere I've seen some of his supporters state that he will try and get his conviction overturned on the basis that his victim was already dead when he shot him and you can't murder a dead person.
Pretty much the following covers it:-

When the fresh appeal is heard, judges will be asked to consider a number of issues, including new expert evidence acquired by the CCRC relating to the soldier’s mental state at the time of the offence.

They will also consider the fact that an alternative verdict of unlawful act manslaughter was not available to the court martial board when it considered the case.

Major General Holmes, who was director of all UK special forces, has offered a £50,000 guarantee for Sgt Blackman’s bail application lodged at the weekend.

He said: “I have supported Sgt Blackman’s cause since the outset.

“I am more than happy to help stand his bail so he can be reunited with his family.”

The new appeal will not be heard until the summer or next autumn and will consider whether he is guilty of “diminished responsibility”.
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Old 16-12-2016, 21:52
Galaxy266
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This thread was started by DS Forum Member "Woodbush"

Nobody ever knew what happened to him, but it is believed he might be, sadly, no longer with us.

Woodbush, we miss you!
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Old 16-12-2016, 21:56
blueblade
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A couple of Paras are to face trial in N Ireland over the shooting dead of an IRA man years ago
Soldiers are not social workers, they are trained to kill and nobody should be surprised if they do
Where will this end, any survivors of WW2 getting prosecuted. War is war, and people get killed. In Balckmans case this unarmed mans hew shot was a Taliban fighter, no innocent
It begins and ends with the Geneva Convention 1949

You may have heard of it at some point.

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the body of international law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects. They specifically protect people who are not taking part in the hostilities (civilians, health workers and aid workers) and those who are no longer participating in the hostilities, such as wounded, sick and shipwrecked soldiers and prisoners of war. The Conventions and their Protocols call for measures to be taken to prevent or put an end to all breaches. They contain stringent rules to deal with what are known as "grave breaches". Those responsible for grave breaches must be sought, tried or extradited, whatever nationality they may hold.
You don't shoot dead injured enemy soldiers who are at your mercy.
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Old 16-12-2016, 22:13
stoatie
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It begins and ends with the Geneva Convention 1949

You may have heard of it at some point.



You don't shoot dead injured enemy soldiers who are at your mercy.
It's pretty much ^this^, really, start to finish.

Now, I can't honestly say the stresses of war wouldn't mean I wouldn't end up doing the same thing... which is why I'd make a terrible soldier (well, among other reasons, but you get my point). And if I did? Yeah, I'd deserve to face justice.
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