egafd.com

I was pointing out that we do not have a legal system which would allow prisoners to remain on death row for years. You are right however that the European Court would slow everything down.

was amazed and shocked really when his mother said shell forgive his killers,iwatched the programme on tv last night with fiona bruce.

It's better for her steve56. The alternative is for the rest of her life to be screwed up because she goes on being consumed by anger and hate.

Mart

You are of course right, Mart. Nevertheless it is a very difficult thing to do.

23 years is a long time but I am a little surprised that the sentence was not longer given the sheer brutality involved. Of course the actual sentence is life and 23 years is only a recommendation. Changes in the law forced on us by our friends in Europe mean that the Home Secretary no longer decides the release date. my understanding is that the recommended sentence is now reviewed by a Lord of Appeal who is able to adjust it as appropriate. What I believe judges say when they recommend a length of sentence for murder is that you should not be even considered for release until you have served your recommended sentence. They do not get any remission on the minimum period. I do wonder if the judge did give a discount for Taylor as he pleaded guilty. A guilty plea is very unusual in a murder case as there is a mandatory sentence of life. In pleading guilty I do wonder if Taylor's legal team had been told there would be a discount on the minimum sentence recommendation.