Reply to: They Just Will Not Give Up

[vetran]

They also probably annoyed the judges with their rants....

indeed don't upset the judges, I'm glad they did

[SueEllen]

There is an element of retribution for murdering a soldier and it being a terrorist act, to discourage the others.

They also probably annoyed the judges with their rants....

[vetran]

It's not Lee Rigby's family that are making the sentencing decisions.

To flip it round, if a member of your family was murdered and the murderer only got 20 years, wouldn't you wonder why your family member was worth less than Lee Rigby?

There is an element of retribution for murdering a soldier and it being a terrorist act, to discourage the others.

[NickFitz]

What's half of a whole life sentence?

It's not a whole-life sentence. It's a life sentence with a whole-life tariff meaning, as ably explained by eek above, no eligibility for consideration for release on license after half of the sentence has been served.

[FatLazyContractor]

Imagine if sentences were proportional to "worth" of victim! What would killers of agents get?

Cash in hand.

[BrilloPad]

It's not Lee Rigby's family that are making the sentencing decisions.

To flip it round, if a member of your family was murdered and the murderer only got 20 years, wouldn't you wonder why your family member was worth less than Lee Rigby?

Imagine if sentences were proportional to "worth" of victim! How long would killers of agents get?

[VectraMan]

If one of your family was murdered would you take the line why is it worse than any other murder?

It's not Lee Rigby's family that are making the sentencing decisions.

To flip it round, if a member of your family was murdered and the murderer only got 20 years, wouldn't you wonder why your family member was worth less than Lee Rigby?

[BrilloPad]

One of many things that distinguish us from ISIS is that we have a fairish justice system for criminal offences.

Though if it was one of my family I would object at the punishment.

[DodgyAgent]

Was this soldier's life worth much more than other victims?

If one of your family was murdered would you take the line why is it worse than any other murder?

[vetran]

What is also concerning is that they get Legal Aid to appeal whereas working Joe has to pay for his defence out of his pocket.

indeed they have nothing to lose, its a day out , they get more publicity for their cause etc. Why do you think so many prisoners become jailhouse lawyers.

[SueEllen]

What's half of a whole life sentence?

They work it out at using an "average" lifespan so it's 25-30 years.

Weren't they appealing against the length of their sentences, not the conviction?

Both. The link has been updated.

So why are these murders so much worse than other murders? Was this soldier's life worth much more than other victims?

The murder of this public servant was linked to an act of terrorism against the state.

The Beeb have missed some stuff out of their report but basically one of the terrorists stated he was a war with the UK state which is why his conviction shouldn't stand.

[eek]

They can be let out on license halfway through their sentences if they are no longer a danger to the public. Since they let an elderly police killer out recently who was serving life, it would be good for at least the one serving 45 years to have years added on.

No they can't. On a life sentence the minimum sentence is just that the minimum amount of time they have to serve before they are eligible to visit the parole board. Most sentences are for x months/years with parole board eligibility starting at x/2 or x/3 depending on the crime.

The current sentences are life sentences with one of those people serving 45 years before being eligible for release (which would be under licence as they have been sentenced to life). The other sentence is whole life which means that like Rosemary West he will not ever be released. The parole board cannot do anything.

If you still think things are different please show me something online that confirms anything different from above... But a minimum term is just that. Its the minimum time that has to be served before the parole board can start looking at the prisoner...

[Paddy]

What is also concerning is that they get Legal Aid to appeal whereas working Joe has to pay for his defence out of his pocket.

[VectraMan]

They can be let out on license halfway through their sentences if they are no longer a danger to the public. Since they let an elderly police killer out recently who was serving life, it would be good for at least the one serving 45 years to have years added on.

What's half of a whole life sentence?

Weren't they appealing against the length of their sentences, not the conviction? So why are these murders so much worse than other murders? Was this soldier's life worth much more than other victims?

[SueEllen]

The sentences are whole life and 45 years so its extending them is not going to have much impact.

They can be let out on license halfway through their sentences if they are no longer a danger to the public. Since they let an elderly police killer out recently who was serving life, it would be good for at least the one serving 45 years to have years added on.