[News] Government rejects pardon request for Alan Turing

[aerospacemango]

Still got a full pardon despite not being innocent!

The law is a 'ass'.

But he was pardoned because of a miscarriage of justice....in that the original Judge failed to direct the jury properly! Thus, he was neither innocent, nor guilty! As the last line says "If Bentley had been alive in July 1998 or convicted of the offence, it would have been possible for him to face a retrial."

This is NOT the same as being convicted of a crime where the law is subsequently repealed, as in Turing's case!

And, YES! We finally agree on something....the Law IS an 'ass'!!

[Theblacksheep]

And, YES! We finally agree on something....the Law IS an 'ass'!!

[GrumbleDook]

All 306 WW1 soldiers shot for cowardice, regardless of evidence, medical reason or other factors have been pardoned.

Pardoned: the 306 soldiers shot at dawn for 'cowardice' - Telegraph

As the commentary and quotes in the article mention, the evidence simply was not there to verify and assess all cases so an act was amended to change laws affecting military law, under which the original sentences were carried out. The original refusal was based on advice given to the then Defence Secretary about how the existing civil law could be retrospectively applied to historic military law and rulings ... and it could not in these circumstances (there are other circumstances where it can apply such as looting, disobeying orders, refusal to follow orders ...) and this is why an amendment was needed. This is one of the examples I gave above actually ... this is not an example of where civil law has been changed or where a pardon has been given for something which is still shown to be a sound conviction under the civil laws as they applied at the time. Flaming stupid laws ... but still that was they way things were ... and thank $deity was are not there still in this country.

[witch]

but if they overturned this they'll soon be up to their necks in petitions for eveyone who was convicted of being a witch etc.

[PICNIC]

^^ She turned me into a newt!!!

[Jawloms]

Just goes to show how times have changed. You're not being prosecuted are you? Would have been a while ago!

^^ She turned me into a newt!!!

Did you get better?

[witch]

Not prosecuted, no
Just persecuted for my pagan, vegetarian and computer-geek beliefs....