London street shoot-out - slap on the wrist?

Discussion in 'Off Topic Area' started by slipthejab, Dec 30, 2014.

  1. slipthejab

    slipthejab Hark, a vagrant! Supporter

    I'm curious about the following story. The two blokes show up to try and kill someone in a revenge attack with a gun. After apparently shooting up the pub or trying to shoot his intended target he is then confronted by a cop where he unloads another eight rounds at the copper.

    Yet he's not found guilty of attempted murder. He's found guilty of guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

    How on earth does someone with a loaded gun that is intent on shooting someone in revenge and who then uses the same gun to shoot at coppers not end up with attempted murder?

    Was he aiming to simply scare the copper off with eight rounds of lead. Was it simply a warning X8 rounds?

    In the UK what are the parameters for being nailed for attempted murder. Surely it must very loose if this guy can get this far into a revenge shoot out and walk away with what seem to be slaps on the wrist?!
    :eek:
    http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-30541348

     
  2. Alansmurf

    Alansmurf Aspire to Inspire before you Expire Supporter

    Slip...

    thats the vagaries of the Jury system....

    Its not about the facts but which barrister the Jury likes...

    Probably arguments in law.....and if there are inconsistencies in the states evidence direction from the judge..

    Its not a great system but it is democratic and better than some other systems..

    There is a mindset of employing professional juries.....

    Sounds like 12 judges.....Dredd to see that

    Smurf
     
  3. slipthejab

    slipthejab Hark, a vagrant! Supporter

    I've no doubt that many times we have the same issue in the US system. Curious.
     
  4. Ben Gash CLF

    Ben Gash CLF Valued Member

    Attempted murder is I believe a fairly uncommon charge now for this reason. Because it's difficult to prove intent juries can make decisions like this. As a consequence there are a group of malicious wounding type charges that have the same kind of sentences but are easier to prove which get used more.
     
  5. slipthejab

    slipthejab Hark, a vagrant! Supporter

    Ok interesting. So in your opinion... the charges in this case could end up being as stiff as attempted murder?
     
  6. bodyshot

    bodyshot Brown Belt Zanshin Karate

    Its not hard to get wrongly convicted in the United states.
     
  7. Mushroom

    Mushroom De-powered to come back better than before.

    Depends on evidence available and how it is argued in Court. He was probably arrested for attempted murder/possession/assault on Police but as no injuries etc and also its difficult in general to prove a specific "intent".
    He probably argued he wasn't aiming to murder anyone specifically but "to shoot around". (just a guess)
    Crazier things has happened.
    Hence why as a general rule, Police in the UK would arrest for a higher crime (ie GBH) and when charged in Court, depending on circumstances/evidence etc it can be reduced as Common Assault.
     

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