I don't particularly find it surprising that he has not been bailed, he remains convicted for the time being. The findings of the psychiatrists, eminent and respected psychiatrists, despite your dismissal, plus the option of the lesser verdict, were enough for the CCRC to refer back to the court of appeal. Given the frequency of cases that get this far past the CCRC, the odds are now in his favour.

The fact he was given only 10 years for murder in the first place, is recognition enough for any alleged psychological problems.

It doesn't always work like that unfortunately. Remember, the verdict of manslaughter was not available to the court martial panel at the time.

Pffft

It's an absolute monumental disgrace this man is behind bars

Hopefully his appeal ends positively

And will be free soon

I will cheer with delight if that happens

I have for a long time, like many others lost a lot of faith in our justice system, our justice is a lottery, it's a game.

IMO Blackman murdered an unarmed fighter, no matter how seriously wounded that fighter was, a line was crossed.

Don't get me wrong, I have little sympathy for the murdered man's cause or his fight.

But the man was unarmed and seriously wounded.

Blackman is proud of his deed.

Why do I think Blackman will be freed? because as others have said, the stress card will be played but more then that, our justice system, ( denying bail ), is a lot like the GMC, it wags it's finger for a while in disapproval.

What infuriates me is his supporters carrying banners outside court


Justice for Marine A

Have these people got no shame, have they not watched and listened to the video, they have got a bloody cheek

Why have they got a bloody cheek? The CCRC's referral is a clear indicator that they believe there is a real possibility that the murder conviction could be quashed, because of evidence or information not available at the previous trial.

I've got one of those too. It's ****ing massive.

A murder conviction might be, but whatever way his defence spin it it will still be manslaughter, which carriers a maximum life sentence in its self and he has presently served just 3 years inside.

Simply right wing groups and not real supporters

If his conviction is quashed, and he is convicted instead of manslaughter, then he will very likely be released having already served the three years.

But IF and it's a big if, you can't pre-judge any sentence that could be passed.

Given that the murder conviction sentence is probably the lowest I have ever seen, then that suggests to me that it is a token sentence handed down because the court martial had their hands tied somewhat. If that conviction is quashed, then there is no way will the sentence be anywhere near 8 years, it will likely be time already served, and he will be released.

Precisely. It's on appeal and could be increased. That can happen with appeals.

Not sure why so many are trying to downplay cold blooded murder and find excuses for this guy.

I'll tell you why, because the CCRC have, at length, reviewed the new evidence submitted by two respected psychiatrists and the fact that no alternative verdict was available at the time and referred the case back to the court of appeal because of the "real possibility" that the murder conviction will be quashed.

I'm not sure why so many are ignoring this fact.

.....and replaced by a manslaughter conviction.

A far less serious crime because of the removal of mens rea, and one that would reflect his mental state at the time, derived from the pressures of the situation he had been placed in.

It's obvious that his struggle with justice is purely because he's A Black()man!

Very interesting. As is this This murder was absolutely and totally pre-meditated. Blackman ordered the insurgent to be dragged clear of being filmed by a balloon surveillance camera, then ordered his men to stop administering first aid, and shot the insurgent.


How anybody can call this manslaughter, and find psychological excuses, is beyond me.

Probably because you have absolutely no medical understanding of psychiatric disorders and the effects of combat stress on a serviceman. Why do you know better than two qualified practitioners? Are you more qualified?

So that's a reason to let them off is it? How many other servicemen, also under stress do the same thing? I would have more sympathy if he had just completely lost it, but this was planned and coldly executed, indicative of a reasoning mind.

His murder sentence is down to the bare minimum now. I hope it gets increased on appeal.

He's really got a brazen cheek appealing again after the initial reduction from 10 years to 8.

Er, yeah, suffering from a psychiatric disorder or illness at the time is often one reason why murderers are "let off" if by let off you mean that their murder convictions are reduced to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility (a la Tony Martin! Remember him?)

Not all people are the same, and thus the way they deal mentally with time spent in a battlezone will be different.

This is exactly right. Given the camera evidence, to let him off with a lighter sentence would be outrageous.


The camera evidence showed someone who was acting in a calm and calculating manner. You can't simply put every war crime down to combat stress.

Absolutely, and as far as his combat stress is concerned, he's already had 2 years chopped off his sentence for this:-

The difference being the taliban wouldn't be arresting the guy and charging him with murder