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The UFO Phenomenon

UFO hacker Gary McKinnon charges dropped

By T.K. Randall
December 17, 2012 · Comment icon 175 comments

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Officials in Britain have opted to drop all charges after a legal battle lasting more than a decade.
Asperger's Syndrome sufferer Gary McKinnon's extradition to the United States was ordered after he was caught hacking in to sensitive government computer systems in an effort to find information on UFOs. The legal ramifications would go on to dominate headlines for years as the case went to court several times. The extradition order was finally blocked three months ago thanks to Home Secretary Theresa May and now it looks like the McKinnons will be enjoying a trouble-free Christmas this year as British officials agreed to drop all charges against him.

"We can get on with our lives, Gary will take time it is not something that will happen overnight," said McKinnon's mother who had tirelessly worked towards stopping his extradition to the US. "I can't put it into words, for Gary it is just fantastic. I have seen Gary smile for the first time in a long time."[!gad]Asperger's Syndrome sufferer Gary McKinnon's extradition to the United States was ordered after he was caught hacking in to sensitive government computer systems in an effort to find information on UFOs. The legal ramifications would go on to dominate headlines for years as the case went to court several times. The extradition order was finally blocked three months ago thanks to Home Secretary Theresa May and now it looks like the McKinnons will be enjoying a trouble-free Christmas this year as British officials agreed to drop all charges against him.

"We can get on with our lives, Gary will take time it is not something that will happen overnight," said McKinnon's mother who had tirelessly worked towards stopping his extradition to the US. "I can't put it into words, for Gary it is just fantastic. I have seen Gary smile for the first time in a long time."
Janis Sharp, of Brookmans Park, got the news on her 64th birthday her son Gary McKinnon was now in the clear after a decade long legal battle and will not stand trial.


Source: Welwyn & Hatfield Times | Comments (175)

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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #166 Posted by Coffey 11 years ago
It is not lost when you have the sole person responsible. What is the difference between deleting something, or taking it and using it up? There is a huge difference. If it's deleted it has been erased. The only term suitable for that is vandalism. Not Theft. But if they weren't intelligent enough to add proper security then it's their fault as well. On the internet companies are held liable if peoples data is stolen or erased. They are in charge of security. The person who did it is not held liable. This is how the internet works. If they even had a little intelligence they would have hired t... [More]
Comment icon #167 Posted by King Cobra 1408 11 years ago
your my hero bro!!!someone will spill the beans lol if the government don't come clean and finally say and reveal the truth.the government will either come clean finally or the UFOs and E.Ts will show themselves and the u.s government will look really bad and loose the respect of the american people.dear NASA and government respect and trust is earned not given.and i'm talking about real respect and trust not fake trust then back stab the american people in the back later.please america people please wise and learn don't be easily deceived and lied to by NASA AND THE GOVERNMENT!!!the mainstrea... [More]
Comment icon #168 Posted by psyche101 11 years ago
All they are doing when they say “The prospects of a conviction against Mr McKinnon which reflects the full extent of his alleged criminality are not high.” is finding a polite way of saying that this would get laughed out of court. As they have no intention of pursuing a court case then it's over, he's a free man. You can't drop criminal proceedings against someone in regards to an alleged crime, then cart them off to the funny farm under the same charges, you either prosecute or you don't - the court then decides whether you go to prison or another institute. You are dead right. The pros... [More]
Comment icon #169 Posted by psyche101 11 years ago
There aren't maybe too many people having a blank admin account nowadays, but i reckon, from what you said, that breaking in the software of windows would be a piece of cake for someone, who knows how to handle computers' systems. Man, that's why i prefer Apple!! I reckon you would be surprised. Many people do not take security seriously. Always something that happens to someone else. I am with you on that one. I rather like Apple products, great support too.
Comment icon #170 Posted by psyche101 11 years ago
There is a huge difference. If it's deleted it has been erased. The only term suitable for that is vandalism. Not Theft. Well I call Tomato Tomatoe. In the end, the result for both is that it is gone, isn't it? But if they weren't intelligent enough to add proper security then it's their fault as well. On the internet companies are held liable if peoples data is stolen or erased. They are in charge of security. The person who did it is not held liable. This is how the internet works. Agreed, however, you do realise that Governments are a major client and do not deal with "Joe's Computer Suppli... [More]
Comment icon #171 Posted by psyche101 11 years ago
your my hero bro!!!someone will spill the beans lol if the government don't come clean and finally say and reveal the truth.the government will either come clean finally or the UFOs and E.Ts will show themselves and the u.s government will look really bad and loose the respect of the american people.dear NASA and government respect and trust is earned not given.and i'm talking about real respect and trust not fake trust then back stab the american people in the back later.please america people please wise and learn don't be easily deceived and lied to by NASA AND THE GOVERNMENT!!!the mainstrea... [More]
Comment icon #172 Posted by CuriousGreek 11 years ago
I reckon you would be surprised. Many people do not take security seriously. Always something that happens to someone else. I am with you on that one. I rather like Apple products, great support too. Don't know though whether Apple's or Linux's operating pc system is better, but still Apple is one of the most admirable companies out there
Comment icon #173 Posted by psyche101 11 years ago
Don't know though whether Apple's or Linux's operating pc system is better, but still Apple is one of the most admirable companies out there As far as Operating Systems go, FreeBSD is the hardest to beat IMHO. Apple OS was based on it. Berkley Software Distribution. Those guys really know their stuff. LINUX I do not like so much because there is so many flavours, and your systems might end up with a patch written by some 12 year old. It's OK, but compared to BSD, it is like driving a 4 cylinder after driving a V8. I also like the philosophy. They give you the system for free, but want you to h... [More]
Comment icon #174 Posted by CuriousGreek 11 years ago
As far as Operating Systems go, FreeBSD is the hardest to beat IMHO. Apple OS was based on it. Berkley Software Distribution. Those guys really know their stuff. LINUX I do not like so much because there is so many flavours, and your systems might end up with a patch written by some 12 year old. It's OK, but compared to BSD, it is like driving a 4 cylinder after driving a V8. I also like the philosophy. They give you the system for free, but want you to hire one of their students to set the system up for you. Money going to young people in need of work, not one man. But if one is willing to le... [More]
Comment icon #175 Posted by chopmo 11 years ago
I agree, why the admins of the system are not hanging by their toes is indeed a bit if a mystery, but I guess they have a sacrifice already? It's not like McKinnon is not guilty, but they did make it pretty easy for him. Laughable to think this act makes some think of him as some sort of master hacker, most business people use that very software every day. Maybe he is coping the brunt for everyone because he was first? I do not doubt that he is being made an example of, I just do not think it is surprising, or that his UFO nonsense carries an ounce of sense. None the less it's good to see they... [More]
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