"Bomb Threat" Tweet Conviction Overturned By UK Appeals Court 103
New submitter Kupfernigk writes "Paul Chambers was the man who was convicted (in England) of a terrorist offense based on a tweet threatening to 'blow up' Robin Hood Airport because they couldn't get snow cleared. Despite the fact that it was obviously a (feeble) joke, the Crown Prosecution Service actually went ahead with a prosecution and were able to convince a junior judge sitting with magistrates. The senior judges, including the Lord Chief Justice, said 'We have concluded that, on an objective assessment, the decision of the Crown Court that this 'tweet' constituted or included a message of a menacing character was not open to it. On this basis, the appeal against conviction must be allowed.' In effect, they have said that the original decision was not made objectively, which can be considered a severe slap for the Crown Prosecutor."
and... (Score:5, Funny)
A well deserved slap too.
Best Quote Ever (Score:5, Funny)
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge (Score:5, Funny)
FTA:
Today, Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, [..], said: ”We have concluded that, on an objective assessment, the decision of the Crown Court that this 'tweet' constituted or included a message of a menacing character was not open to it."
When it's no longer clear where your title ends and your name starts, you've definitely found the right profession.
Re:Extradite him to USA (Score:4, Funny)
Maybe he can be extradited to USA to face proper conviction after a brief tour in Guantanamo?
The Crown Prosecutor? Sounds like a plan.
Re:Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge (Score:4, Funny)
Oh man, Igor Judge, Baron Judge [wikipedia.org] is one of the better names for a judge in history. He could be a comic-book character with that name!
Re:and... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Whoa (Score:5, Funny)
Wait, there's a "Robin Hood Airport"? And we can't even get an "Elvis Presley International Airport" and he was a real guy.
It's usual to only name buildings after people who are dead.