Here's hoping

Fingers crossed x


Marine 'A' will learn today if he will be freed for Christmas

http://dailym.ai/2hNnnOD




'Marine A' Alexander Blackman could be a free man as early as tonight
Hundreds of supporters including his wife will swamp London court today
Official review has cast doubt on his conviction for killing Taliban insurgent
It is a big victory for Daily Mail readers who backed his campaign for justice
He was convicted of shooting an insurgent who was already fatally wounded

Re: Here's hoping

Personally I sincerely hope he is freed. The way soldiers are being treated these days it´s a wonder anyone joins the Army.

Re: Here's hoping

Marine A hopes to be home for Christmas, says wife http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38338951


A Royal Navy review released by the Ministry of Defence said several factors contributed to the incident.
The report found there was insufficient supervision, a perceived "overly aggressive" culture in Blackman's unit, 42 Commando, and "moral disengagement" on the part of Blackman and his colleagues.
But the former marine, of Taunton, Somerset, last week won the right to appeal against his conviction following the presentation of new evidence relating to his mental health at the time of the murder.
'Icing on the cake'
Mrs Blackman said the decision to go back and look at the evidence gave the family "the most hope".
She said: "Bail would be the icing on the cake.
"But getting back to the appeal courts and getting the conviction and the sentence potentially overturned is our main focus."
The killing on 15 September 2011 took place after a patrol base in Helmand province came under fire from two insurgents.
One of the attackers was seriously injured by gunfire from an Apache helicopter sent to provide air support, and the marines found him in a field.
Footage from the helmet-mounted camera of another marine in his unit showed Blackman shooting the Afghan prisoner in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol.
MP Adam Holloway, a former army officer, said: "The fact remains, what he did was break the Geneva Convention by shooting a wounded prisoner and that is absolutely wrong in all circumstances, unless you can show that you are mentally ill at the time."
Blackman's supporters said the killing was manslaughter, not murder, and launched a campaign to review the case.
Fredrick Forsyth, author and campaigner, told the BBC: "Had he been charged with manslaughter - the technicality of making a bad a mistake - he probably would have got three years. Halve it for good behaviour, he'd be out already."
Mrs Blackman said her husband was keeping his spirits up, making the most of his time in prison by studying for a degree.
But not having him at home is "obviously really hard", she said, despite being used to time apart as the wife of a Royal Marine.
She added: "It would be really nice to think that this afternoon we could have him home and have some time back together."
She said support from the public had been "incredible", with four people donating £50,000 each in bail money.
"I find it really hard to put into words what a difference that makes.
"To feel like the whole country is behind us just gives us energy and motivation to keep going."
Blackman was convicted of murder in November 2013 and jailed for life. He lost an appeal in May of the following year, but his 10-year minimum term was reduced to eight years.
He was one of three Royal Marines tried by Court Martial for murder. His co-defendants, referred to as Marine B and Marine C, were acquitted.

Re: Here's hoping

When an apache engages you with its least powerful weapon (30mm) gun it doesn't leave much left of you ..... this fighter was going to die anyway .... he OUT him out of his misery



https://youtu.be/KaufhZv84Gk

Re: Here's hoping

'Marine A' Alexander Blackman must now wait for a bail decision on Wednesday
Hundreds of supporters including his wife swamped London court today
Official review has cast doubt on his conviction for killing Taliban insurgent
It is a big victory for Daily Mail readers who backed his campaign for justice
He was convicted of shooting an insurgent who was already fatally wounded
The family of 'Marine A' Alexander Blackman face another agonising wait to hear if he will be home for Christmas after a judge delayed a bail decision today.
Blackman's wife Claire and hundreds of supporters swamped the Royal Courts of Justice in the hope a judge orders his freedom.
But the Lord Chief Justice has delayed the decision until Wednesday - just four days before Christmas Day.
Sgt Blackman has spent three years in HMP Erlestoke, in Wiltshire, for the shooting of a wounded Taliban fighter in Afghanistan in 2011.
Mrs Blackman left to cheers and applause from the many servicemen who attended, shouting 'justice' and 'see you on Wednesday' as she departed.

Re: Here's hoping

I suspect that the powers-that-be have finally come to realise that this situation could well be a contributory factor in the reduction in applications to join the armed forces.

I'm sure, if they have any sense at all, he will be released. Even so, I wonder whether the damage has been done and people will still be put off of a career in the forces.

Re: Here's hoping

Lions led by donkeys