McKinnon to be extradited

[centurian]

"Autism is a disorder of neural development that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior."

He suffers from Aspergers, a high-functioning form of autism. Your (as ever) insightful and expert views on another subject show just how little you know.

Which describes a whole lot of IT geeks that I have known...

[AtW]

Which describes a whole lot of IT geeks that I have known...

Indeed - and it also covers many millions of people in the UK.

Even if he had this condition, which I doubt very much, it is in no way absolves him from responsibility for his actions, because if it did then it would set huge precedent and would enable millions of people to get away with crimes.

[centurian]

If his believe in his doctor's diagnosis is so high he should surrender himself to USA authorities and bring his medical file with him.

Regardless of this, I am still not convinced what relevance his Asperger syndrome is to his case though.

Granted, it may have contributed to his behaviour, but surely he is still responsible for his own actions.

An alcholic (alcholism is a medical disorder) who gets drunk and kills someone still has to pay for their actions. They might be charged with manslaugher instead of murder, but it's highly unlikely they will get away with it based upon their condition.

[minestrone]

Indeed - and it also covers many millions of people in the UK.

Even if he had this condition, which I doubt very much, it is in no way absolves him from responsibility for his actions, because if it did then it would set huge precedent and would enable millions of people to get away with crimes.

A Briton killed his wife in his sleep, after dreaming that she was an intruder in their camper van, a court heard on Tuesday.

Brian Thomas, who suffers from a sleep disorder, admits killing his wife Christine while they spent a night on a car park in west Wales in July last year, Swansea Crown court was told.

But the 59-year-old, who has two grown-up daughters with his 57-year-old wife, is pleading not guilty due to insanity, a lawyer said.

He got off with it, the precedent has already been set.

[AtW]

Regardless of this, I am still not convinced what relevance his Asperger syndrome is to his case though.

Granted, it may have contributed to his behaviour, but surely he is still responsible for his own actions.

An alcholic (alcholism is a medical disorder) who gets drunk and kills someone still has to pay for their actions.

No relevance whatsoever insofar his extradition is concerned, the court might take into account his doctor's view or maybe appoint its own doctors to verify the condition, this may or may not help reduce his sentence if he is convicted or plead guilty.

[AtW]

He got off with it, the precedent has already been set.

"But the 59-year-old, who has two grown-up daughters with his 57-year-old wife, is pleading not guilty due to insanity, a lawyer said."

Insanity and autism are two very different things, one does not need to be a doctor to know that.

[minestrone]

Pardon me for interrupting....but can I just compliment you on your patience? To continue with someone who clearly hasn't the first clue what he is talking about without losing your rag is very impressive....

I'm in a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

[centurian]

He got off with it, the precedent has already been set.

Precedent for that condition, absolutely, precedent has been set. He clearly was not consciously aware of what he was doing and courts saw fit to recognise that.

But you're comparing totally different conditions and cases.

An alcholic is consciously aware when they take that drink despite their condition, just like McKinnon was when he took cannabis.

[AtW]

An alcholic is consciously aware when they take that drink despite their condition, just like McKinnon was when he took cannabis.

It sounds to me like that would be his next line of defence - "M'lud, I was too high on cannabis to realise what the heck I was doing, please let me go, I am in dire need for another spliff!"

[minestrone]

Precedent for that condition, absolutely, precedent has been set. He clearly was not consciously aware of what he was doing and courts saw fit to recognise that.

But you're comparing totally different conditions and cases.

An alcholic is consciously aware when they take that drink despite their condition, just like McKinnon was when he took cannabis.

I was simply returning the point to AtW's claim that a mental condition can not be used to explain a criminal act.