Isn't one enough to get the job done? It looks like at least one parent thinks that justice has fallen short. In the US, these murderers are soon walking the streets again looking for new victims.
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Isn't one enough to get the job done? It looks like at least one parent thinks that justice has fallen short. In the US, these murderers are soon walking the streets again looking for new victims.
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"...shortly after the judge told them he would accept majority, rather than unanimous, decisions, as long as 10 jurors agreed."
Is this a normal thing in British law? or are there special conditions that have to be met? just asking out of curosity, nothing more.
That said, I hope that the life sentences are without possibility of parole/probation/reduction. I didn't see anything specifically addressing that.
roger
Roger,
Guess we wait till Dale, Steve Gargini or Jonah come on.
I will send your query to them on email.
david williams
an unanimous decision by the jury.
I am aware that there is some varying state by state on lessor, or perhaps civil, cases. I can't remember exactly what the trial was over, but think I read once some trials in Texas (I think?) only required 9 guilty out of 12 votes to convict.
I guess the Texas contingent here can probably tell me if I'm right or wrong on that memory.
roger
that was my understanding as well.
the key being 'unanimous'.
david williams
Kiddpeat:
A finding of guilt of murder carries mandatory life on each count. As Huntley was found guilty of murdering both girls, as separate charges, that is life for each. In reality however, they will run concurrently, so amount to the same time as a single sentence.
Life, as with all sentencing, has the chance of parole. However, it will be at least five years before he can apply, and if granted, as a murderer he would be on licence for the rest of his life, so he can be hauled back in at any time.
Also, the judge usually sets a minimum time to serve as part of sentencing, and the Home Secretary as the minister for our "justice department". can also obstruct his release if he feels it is in society's best interest.
Huntley is now being assessed under the Mental Health Act. If found wanting, he could be transferred to a Secure Hospital, which case he will no longer be in the prison system. He will instead be subject to the rules of the Mental Health Act as they relate to the criminally insane, and have no right to parole.
He will also be subjected to a far different harsher regime, with less human rights, such as them being able to forcibly medicate him or restrain him. This has been the fate of Ian Brady, one of the child-killing Moors Murderers of the 1960s.
The majority verdict. Yes, that is fmailiar here. A judge has the power in crown court, to instruct that the jury may find a majority verdict, where they have indicated for a lengthy time that no unanimity can be found. It is done to avoid a retrial in such serious cases, especially after such a lengthy one as this at great cost to the taxpayer, and to prevent the accused escaping scot free where it is clear there is a high probability of guilt.
A 10:2 majority is the lowest allowed, if they can only get 9, the man walks. That is a problem, because here we have a Double Jeopardy law, so if Huntley had walked, he could never be tried for the killings again, even if he confessed after leaving court. That is about to change however, under new proposals being formulated at present, and double jeopardy will be wiped out so an accused can be recharged with the same offence if significant new evidence comes available later on.
FINAL SENTENCE NEXT YEAR
The minimum period Ian Huntley will stay in jail will not be decided until next year.
Home Secretary David Blunkett has been barred from setting the minimum sentence - or "tariff" - under European human rights rules.
And Huntley is not covered by tough new sentencing rules which create a compulsory new "life means life" tariff for multiple murderers.
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91060-12953429,00.html