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UFO hacker is broken man, says family



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Published Date: 03 September 2008
A GLASGOW-BORN computer expert accused of hacking into American military systems is "distraught" as he awaits extradition to the US, his family and friends said yesterday.
The parents and girlfriend of Gary McKinnon, 42, joined supporters in London for a demonstration outside the Home Office, calling on the government to prevent him from being handed over to American authorities.

McKinnon, an unemployed systems analyst from north London, admits accessing 97 US military and Pentagon computers, but claimed he was looking for UFO files.

The US government accuses him of stealing passwords and deleting files.

McKinnon faces up to 70 years in prison if he is found guilty.

His partner, Lucy Clarke, 37, said: "He is a broken man – he is distraught. The whole family has been living in terror."

His father, Charlie McKinnon, 63, who travelled from his Glasgow home, said: "I don't want him to go to America.

"There is no hope for him to face a fair trial – they've made up their minds."



The full article contains 173 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 02 September 2008 11:31 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

weeshooie1,

Wollongong 03/09/2008 03:18:32
Sour grapes on behalf of the Yanks. They should thank him for finding a flaw in their Security System :0(
2

Dragonhead,

Dalian,China 03/09/2008 04:03:12
Wonder why he is and unemployed computer analyst and for how long he has been out of a job?
All life's decisions have consequences.He was old enough and ugly enough to know what he was doing was illegal and would result in his being up to his thighs in alligators if caught.
Apart from the cost of the damage he caused, we don't know if it cost any lives in the process.
Like most folk, they are contrite and sorry for their actions once caught. That is tooooo late fella.
Can understand the family living in terror and the father's comment. The Americans are as usual being painted as the villains of the piece. They were the victims. So stiff upper lip Gary McKinnon, besides you have not been found guilty yet. It is all still alledged.
3

Jim A,

03/09/2008 07:17:36
#2 Dragonhead, Agree that this guy should stand trial for the hacks, but in this country and not in the States. Reason being back in 2003 the British asked for two US A-10 pilots to attend a Coroners inquest (not a trial) into the friendly fire death of a British Soldier (Lance Corporal Matthew Hull). Then there was the friendly fire deaths of Flight Lieutenants Kevin Main and David Williams a Tornado crew shot down by the Americans, also the news reporter Terry Lloyd, whom US marines shot dead during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. How about the eight lads in the first gulf war? That's just a few mate but on all occasions the Americans have refused to co-operate in all the inquests by not making their people appear to answer questions. That's just answer questions, not stand trial. Now I know this hacking is a civilian thing mate but co-operation should work both ways. The Americans are our allies in Iraq, and should respect the grief of the families of service people killed by friendly fire incidents and not hide from the court. Until they do co-operate I say tell them he'll be tried in the UK, and to present their evidence.

P.S. "Friendly fire" who on earth though that one up?
4

Boy Wonder,

03/09/2008 08:21:54
I thought they gave good computer hackers jobs working for them???
5

donald,

glasgow 03/09/2008 10:56:26
They employed Nazi scientists, why can't they give this man a job.
6

JohnnyResolute,

Sydney, Australia 03/09/2008 11:16:01
I don't think that Mr. McKinnon deserves the extradition and imprisonment. The United States' treatment of prisoners, especially those they view to be a 'security threat' is criminal and evil. Especially since their proclaimed 'War on Terror' is a hoax and a fraud.
7

Jay Kay,

03/09/2008 13:06:29
These idiot Americans should bl**dy well give this guys a medal, he single handed exposed thier flaws and made them look stoopid, big deal, they should have then employed him thus enabling their "top Secrets" to remain in safe hands. The way I think we all see it is this guy did them a really big favour, presedential pardon maybe? but no the high and mighty US demand a sacrafice, and our puppets give into them, another nail in Gordies coffin.

Well said Jim #3
8

kinneucher,

Amsterdam 03/09/2008 13:20:48
Since the U.S. no longer has a reputable legal system (e.g. no Habeus Corpus), how can anyone be extradited there,
9

DidYouSeeThem,

UK 03/09/2008 14:18:23
Guilty of a crime commited in the UK.
There are hackers everywhere getting caught all the time but they did not find the info relating to the Orion ET's working with the "New" US space fleet.
Oh yes - Free Energy. That might have something to do with it.It's about time the worlds Military/Industrial complex was consigned to the history books.As the UN sat in secret in February deciding how to tell the world that ET is here and that they had been given a date of 2017 to clean you can bet that that will be the length of his sentence already decided upoun by his "captors".


10

Armstrong Cowan Again,

Plantet Schmarsh 03/09/2008 14:31:40
He should be tried in the UK and not the USA. The Americans are becoming overbearing and unbearable. The quality of their future leaders is another source of depression.
11

hertscot,

03/09/2008 15:22:37
#10, totally agree, you should stand trial in the country where the offence is committed.

Although we could always extradite the little neds that mug foreign tourists!
12

brisa,

Illinois, USA 03/09/2008 15:33:15
McKinnin is being made an example of. He is not just being charged with hacking...the US alleges that he vandalized every computer he accessed. The list of charges has been wildly inflated to really drop the hammer, discourage future casual hackers and encourage the accused to cop a plea.

The prosecution of McKinnin does not seek justice, on the contrary, it represents the vindictive manifestation of tyranny.
13

Gypsy9,

London 03/09/2008 17:46:28
I went to the protest yesterday because i am very concered at the continued erosion of our rights as British citizens, Successive goverments have sold out our rights to the EU and to the USA. This in effect is yet another treason agaist the crown as defined by the Treason fellony act of 1885 more info here http://www.iits.dircon.co.uk/newalliance/constlaw.htm
It would seem that yet again our so call elected goverment (small g intentional)does not have the best interests of Her Majesties subjects at heart and undermines the hard one freedoms that were and are being paid for in blood sweat and tears. Gary is a British Subject and should be tried by British law as should any subject who breaks that law including members of parliament.
14

boudica,

Glasgow 03/09/2008 19:01:50
The man is an IT expert and one the first he would be told is to work within the Laws..I am sure in his training he was told he must not use his expertize in anything deemed illegal ..he ignored that fact and went ahead and did it..he hacked into a Security System of another country deliberately that also is a fact and deemed an act of Espionage, Spying .....because he commited this crime in the comfort of his own home does not make it any lesson of a serious crime so he has to face it as does anyone who commits a such crime ..
15

turok,

UK 03/09/2008 20:27:20
What's even more amazing is that Gary managed to find what he was looking for under the influence of cannabis. NASA and the Pentagon must be embarrassed by their ridiculous lack of security. Why would they put their top secret data on internet servers with no passwords? Doh! Personally, I'm still waiting for the day when sanity and common sense prevails. If they don't want stoned hackers walzing through open doors, they need at least to put all the classified stuff on a separate internet. That way, no civilian has access. But then again, can we expect sensible decisions? The in-mates have taken over the asylum....
16

Poetess50,

03/09/2008 20:36:14
Speaking as someone who's had their life RUINED by a computer hacker, I hope the Yanks FRY HIM.
17

alexandermcdonald,

london 03/09/2008 20:55:31
come on for christ`s sake what harm did he do .
he is a BRITISH subject and therefor should be tried by a BRITISH jury ,unless we get specific gaurantees
he should remain in our country not in a third world type system where the rule of law is ignored whilly nilly... our allie-thers a laugh.
18

Dragonhead,

Dalian,China 04/09/2008 02:56:06
#3 Jim A. Agree with your comments on US 'Friendly Fire' etc.Thought you would have known the first rule of Murphy's Laws of Combat,ie, "Friendly Fire Isn't!".
As to where he should be tried, it seems many miss what I think is a very pertinent point. Mr McKinnon was certainly in the UK when he committed the "alledged" crime.However the crime was committed in the United States.So agree or disagree with it, it makes not a lot of difference.We have to compare horses with horses. Everyone is being emotive and shreiking at the possible outcomes.Which is the norm.This gentleman did what he did. Feel sorry for him, protest on his behalf,but the inescapable fact is he put himself in this position.He may have caused Millions of dollars worth of damage, caused accidents,deaths,compromised agents in place,etc,etc.As I was at pains to point out in my first comments.He has NOT BEEN found guilty yet. Save your ire for if he is. Everyone shrieks at American justice.From the UK that is the joke of the decade!
19

Alberto.,

04/09/2008 09:56:05
And then there's Abu Hamza giving our Government(?)a real old 'run around’ ( a year round pantomime, making them and this Country look like real fools) - and seemingly he is winning, so far!

Compare our silly 'idiotic' government and the game they are being dragged into - with great ease by Hamza and his ilk, costing the Country a small fortune in their 'great' endeavour to see he comes to no harm, even though he threatens to wipe out Western society and those who do not believe in Islamic 'teachings', which he has been allowed to shout out 'Loud and Clear' from the rooftops, compliments this Government, and the TV networks - yet the main concern for our 'silly' Government is to protect him from harm!

Gary McKinnon it seems, can 'Go to Hell' for all they care!

It is hard to believe, and somewhat laughable, that the Government is allegedly 'fighting the Islamic terrorists' to protect us against them, and then when / if captured being 'hell bent' on seeing they, 'above anyone else' come to no harm for their murderous attitudes and endeavours - no matter the cost!!

The 'Asylum' doors are still wide open, and the idiots are still in charge!!!!
20

TECH 1,

USA 04/09/2008 19:28:47
I love to listen to people that gave up there rights to protect them selves (Right to bare arms) and depend on there government to take care of them, and slowly become enslaved, and you are worried about a fair trial in the United States of America, we may not be perfect, but we are the least of your worries concerning a fair trial, the bottom line is if you break the law you must pay the price!!
I would love to be able to sort through Government files and have all that information at my fingertips but not at the price of 70 years, if we allow one to get away with it, what kind of message dose that send? I think not!!!
21

Alberto.,

04/09/2008 23:11:40
#TECH 1 USA.

'the bottom line is if you break the law you must pay the price!!'

************

You forgot the real important bit - " Not applicable to so called British Democratic Politics and its Politicians"

Cannot help but think this situation is nothing more than some Political 'arrangement', to save a 'Political face' in the USA - and a 'Political points earning' in the UK, probably brought to fruition by some USA Political department / organisation shouting 'Jump' - (or perhaps Boo!) to the so called UK Government!

I feel sure such 'activity' is probably ‘ not out of the ordinary’ day to day procedures - as and when required, for political purposes, as this case would seem to be!!
22

,

05/09/2008 04:30:24
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
23

CarlHCarl,

USA 05/09/2008 04:52:37
Thank you for permitting a comment from the United States. This is an open letter to Mr. Gary McKinnon. I've been reading about Mr. McKinnon when I search for UFO related items. I've been reading about the UFO subject for over 50 years.
I'm sorry to hear about your sense of distress, Mr. McKinnon. Yes, that is certainly understandable for someone facing extradition. But please consider that in some quarters you will be regarded as a hero.
With all sympathy for the rigors you will undergo while facing trial, you and your defense team will have the right to subpeona witnesses.
It has long been known that United States government officials lie to the American public, and therefore the world, about their UFO information, up until now with complete impunity.
An official testifying at your trial under oath will have no such ability to dissemble. This is exactly the opportunity you and UFO interested people have been waiting for: Not only will you be able to question active NASA employees about UFO data, you will be able to subpeona former employees who will be willing to testify about destroying UFO data. In fact , your trial is part of the overall illegal effort to stifle inquiries into the UFO subject and what NASA and other United States government agencies know and illegally keep from the public.
Yes of course the stress is enormous but the possible contribution you will make will be enormous. It isn't easy being a cause celebre'. But I've heard a phrase that I believe comes form your side of the water: Keep a stiff upper lip! Best regards.
24

Gina Gibson,

Wales 05/09/2008 10:57:24
Would we be so keen to defend this man had he picked the locks on YOUR front door and rummaged around YOUR property?

He broke into a computer system in another country so he should be tried in that country.

Some of you seem to forget that this person is a 42 year old man NOT A 14 YEAR OLD BOY!
25

MB134,

USA 05/09/2008 13:21:45
This man did not 'hack' into any computer. He accessed computer systems that were left wide open without any password.

The US Govt insists that he vandalized their systems (which he didn't) only because they cannot charge him with unauthorized entry.

If I leave the door to my home unlocked and someone comes in off the street and looks through my belongings but doesn't steal anythng it is my own fault and no crime has been committed.

Do not extradite the poor guy to the USA. He will face a kangaroo court and be severely punished as an 'example' to anyone else who would dare to forcibly enter US computer systems in the future.
26

Archie1954,

Vancouver 05/09/2008 22:40:37
Americans are very vindictive. They don't manage their judicial system like we do. Their proscutors are rewarded for the number of successful prosecutions they handle. The prosecutors would be considered extremely unprofessional in British jurisprudence and will create evidence where there is none. Sometimes they get caught as in the North Carolina University rape case but most often they don't and the result is an unfair trial. The politicization of the justice department also points to the inability to discern a real case from a politically managed case. No country should extradite any accused to the US until they can prove that their trials are fair and just. The US must do as the British and others, "the State (Crown)neither wins nor loses it just presents the case".
27

Shaktipriest,

Scandinavia 05/09/2008 22:44:19
Sounds like a stupid thing to do. No suprise thatEngland sends him to the "wolfs". He must have upset the Orwellian architects. These in their paranoia they want to control and spy on you. But the opposite absolutely not. Back to your game console tv and never leave your gps or cell phone off.
28

Fredje,

Hilversum 05/09/2008 23:45:14
This man should be offered a job by the US to improve their computer security.

What is wrong with being curious? These US sites heve offered an opportunity to be entered. So who's the bad guy? I think the guys "trying" to protect the sites should be fired for not doing their jobs right!

Gary should be welcomed as a heroe! Not as a bad guy!

Did he steal money? No! Did he put the US in danger? No! Did he make a fool of the US! Yes!

Gary should be awarded by the US for showing them their personnel is not doing their jobs right on protection of data!
29

Fredje,

Hilversum 05/09/2008 23:52:56
By the way:

Scotland!!!!!!!!!! Be proud!!!!!!!!! Protect Gary against these losers!

The US are like: "Damn you've exposed us! Therefore we want you jailed!"


Scotland, stay proud and protect democracy and not the real losers!
30

Gina Gibson,

Wales 06/09/2008 21:36:23
#26 you claim:- "this man did not hack any computer"

These quotes are from an interview with Gary McKinnon in the Guardian dated Aprill 22nd 2007:-

"I was a man obsessed. I spent two and a half grand in dial-up charges trying to get into the US military systems, eight hours a day, every day, over the course of a year."

"I believe in UFOs. They were my reason for hacking"

"My advice to my younger self? Don't hack"
31

celtic4,

USA 18/09/2008 00:51:03
Now let's us all scream and cry and put the USA down as always. No...we might not be perfect(no one is) but we are allies of your country, and the very best defense against unwanted terrorism.
This Gary commited a CRIME on American soil. Ok, so if all of you don't want him extridited, and want him tried in the UK, THEN TRY HIM THERE!!!!!! Just as long as he knows now NOT to try to mess with anyone's computer systems again!!! And as for not having passwords, that is nonsense. Of course there were passwords to our most private systems, he just was able to find them and use them. He caused oodles of damage, could have cost lives, yet you claim he's commited NO crime!!! Is that why men carry around machetes and swords in Scotland? Because they commit no crime? For crying out loud. This guy's no martyr, he is a criminal, and should be tried.
And nowhere in the world is he as likely to have a FAIR trial as in the United States of America!!! Why don't you people cut the USA some slack??? What have we ever done to you?

 

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