hacked off!

Hmmm. I wonder if you both would feel the same way if it had been a U.S. citizen who hacked into the British system?

Having said that, I do remember thinking, when the case first broke in the news, that the U.S. government was over reacting to the situation. I wondered how much of it was due to genuine concern over the "crime" and how much of it was attributable to embarrassment the US Military was experiencing cleaning the egg off their faces.

Some would say that a crime is a crime and should be treated accordingly. But it seems to me that there is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration. Not just the man's handicap but also his actions to date. Does he have a history of such criminal behavior? What is his mental state; is he even capable of premeditating such a plot? Was there someone else behind the scenes manipulating this man? Etc.

In the end if criminal intent can be proven then he should be held accountable. However, if not, then God save us from those who insist on justice where mercy would serve just as well.

Nicely put as ever Diana, BUT, this guy has an illness (or brilliance) that could make him a outstanding brain (obviously he does have special talents) therefore he should be encouraged, used sensibly, and certainly not locked up somewhere in an environment that is strange to him.

This is one of the most awful things about this case, we know from our own experience that those who suffer Aspergers syndrome cannot accept change, it disrupts them completely. We see this in our grandson who suffers Aspergers. At home he arranges his games, toys, books, anything that is personal to him very specifically in his bedroom and if we move anything at all (without his knowledge) and then watch him as he walks into his room it's almost as if he has the ability to scan the whole area for anything out of place. He very quickly has a grumble about it and puts it back where it 'should' be, quite incredible!

I think I am right in saying that Einstein suffered Aspergers.

We feel for this guy and hope and pray that he will NOT be extradited to the USA. We say give him a chance and go chase real crooks!!

Agreed, Ron. I think we are on the same page.

If it has been determined that this man is not guilty of intent to commit a crime, and that he is not mentally capable of understanding what he did then he deserves mercy.

We do well to remember that lady Justice wears a blindfold but she is not herself blind. This is done in order to indicate that justice is (or should be) meted out objectively, without fear or favor, regardless of the identity, power, or weakness of the individuals brought before the bar. But it should not be used as a weapon to make criminals out of the innocent (In this case the man is guilty of the fact of the crime but not of intent to commit a crime).

Very well analised, judge Sinclair! Can someone over there in the US 'lobby' their Government representitives not to pusue this mans extredition and ask the British justice system to satisfy all, that no malicious intent was present.  His parents and family should be spared the stress of loosing a loved one, they are not guilty of any crime. Fingers crossed that common sense will prevail.

POE power is needed.

I think this man should account for his actions in a US court and accept the outcome. 

Hacking into a military computer, for whatever reason, is an offence and this guy must have been totally aware of that fact.

As for his "Asperges" syndrome,  this guy was diagnosed by a doctor who happened to see him on a news broadcast. He now uses this "new found" knowledge as a huge sympathy lever to excuse his behaviour and help him out of this deep hole he has dug.

I also believe that he was offered a trial by "plea bargain" which could have assured a more lenient sentence, which he refused.