Mother appeals to Obama to stop Extradition

**Red_Lizard2** · 08-01-09, 02:45 AM

So basically this guy committed supposedly "the biggest military computer hack", which he says he was just looking for UFO evidence. The guy suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, and i guess the appeal is that he didn't do any harm and didn't mean no wrong etc.

Seem kind of bullshit to me, he hacked government computers, i'm 99% sure thats a cyber crime and he should be charged. Especially considered he has already said he did it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8179059.stm

The mother of a UK computer hacker facing extradition to the US has called on President Barack Obama to intervene.

Janis Sharp spoke after her son, Gary McKinnon, 43, of London, who has Asperger's Syndrome, lost a court bid to avoid extradition.

The US wants to try Mr McKinnon for what it calls the biggest military computer hack ever in 2001/02. He maintains he was seeking UFO evidence.

Ms Sharp said: "Please hear us, Obama. I know you would do the right thing."

A letter has been sent to the US president signed by 40 British MPs asking him to step in and "bring this shameful episode to an end".

Speaking outside the High Court, Ms Sharp said President Obama should help those campaigning on her son's behalf make the world "a more compassionate place".

"Obama wouldn't have this. He doesn't want the first guy extradited for computer misuse to be a guy with Asperger's [Syndrome], a UFO guy.

"I'm just praying, please hear us, Obama, because I know you would do the right thing," she added.

Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon admits hacking by accessing 97 government computers belonging to organisations such as the US Navy and Nasa, but denies it was malicious. He also denies the allegation he caused damage costing $800,000 (£487,000).

He has always insisted he was looking for classified documents on UFOs, which he believed the US authorities had suppressed.

Supreme Court challenge

Mr McKinnon has challenged refusals by the home secretary and the director of public prosecutions (DPP) to try him in the UK.

But the DPP refused to order a UK trial, saying the bulk of the evidence was located in the US and Mr McKinnon's actions were directed against the US military infrastructure.

Mr McKinnon could face 60 years or more in prison if convicted in the US.

Whether or not he can appeal to the new UK Supreme Court - due to launch in October - will be decided later, Lord Justice Burnton, one of two High Court judges to hear his case, said earlier.

The two judges ruled extradition was "a lawful and proportionate response" to his offence, even though they conceded he might find extradition and prison in the US "very difficult indeed".

Mr McKinnon's lawyers argued extradition was "unnecessary, avoidable and disproportionate".

Karen Todner said her client was "clearly not equipped" to deal with the American penal system.

'Out to dry'

Tory leader David Cameron said the case raised "serious questions" about the extradition pact between the US and UK.

"Gary McKinnon is a vulnerable young man and I see no compassion in sending him thousands of miles away from his home and loved ones to face trial."

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne claimed the American government would not "hang one of their citizens out to dry in the same way".

"The [UK] government must ensure that the US-UK Extradition Treaty is repealed and that its replacement treats US and British citizens equally," he said.

But Home Secretary Alan Johnson insisted he had no power to demand the trial take place in the UK.

"Mr McKinnon is accused of serious crimes and the US has a lawful right to seek his extradition, as we do when we wish to prosecute people who break our laws."

He added that he had "clear assurances from the US" that Mr McKinnon's health and welfare needs would be met.

Mr McKinnon has already appealed unsuccessfully to the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights.

**fly351** · 08-01-09, 02:46 AM

STOP POSTING YOU SPAMMER!

**asianator365** · 08-01-09, 02:46 AM

He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

**Red_Lizard2** · 08-01-09, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by fly351

STOP POSTING YOU SPAMMER!

its hardly spam, spam is posting some like:

Lol cats are funny.

Originally Posted by asianator365

He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This is the oddest thing to say, but i agree with you

**PizzaSHARK!** · 08-01-09, 02:51 AM

First, the dude's 43. I understand that Asperger's is like Autism Lite™, but does he really need his damn mom to defend him? He can't speak for himself?

And I don't care if he's a cataclysmically retarded idiot savant; he hacked government computers, he gets charged from the crime. Hopefully Obama won't bend on this.