British Hacker using Aspergers as a defence

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Thought people might be interested in this article

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/0 ... efense/?hp

Sounds plausible to me.
What does everyone else think about this whole situation?

It's not like he hacked the military networks by accident. He knew damn well what he was doing and the wrongness of it. Are Aspies any less accountable for their actions than NTs?

Hacker nerds should answer to the same law everyone else does. Being "special" does not elevate you above crime & punishment. I am so sick of this bullsh1t!

From what ive read, he was only investigating a suspected coverup of UFO evidence. by having a peek at totally unsecured networks. That doesnt strike me as wrong. It wont stop the reptiles running the US trying to destroy his life to save themselves a little embarassment.

I dont care whether he has AS or not. Good luck to him.

So in other words, no accountability at all. Brilliant.

wud an nt have had the knowledge

Agreed with Slowmutant. Rules are rules. Hacking rules are written, not "unwritten". Aspergers' is not a get out of jail free card. Not excused.

We know right from wrong.

Aspies are not unaware of their actions. He had to have known that hacking was not a good thing to do...

My personal take is that the guy is likely telling the truth that he was just looking for proof of extra-terestrial life, though as others have said, this doesn't really excuse him from hacking the most paranoid government in the world and expecting them not to take action.
However
I personally think that the Americans are trying to make an example of this man and Aspergers or not I don't find this acceptable. I agree this man should be held to account but not in the way that is currently happening.
Oh, and just to clarify, when I said it sounds plausible, I meant it in regards to the Aspergers diagnosis which I did not make very clear in my opening post.
In my opinion the man involved would be much better put to use working for the government, preferably here in the UK, then by the overblown actions America is currently pursuing against him. That possibly means some jail-time first as nobody living in a society should expect to break rules and not face consequences.

I do agree with that; I think the US justice system is a bit silly at times, and they are very paranoid. I'm sure he was just after UFO stuff but still, the law's the law and you can't plead ignorance when you're busy hacking US govt files like that!!

This business about UFOs sounds and smells like bovine excrement. I'll be damned if this guy weasels out of it. He threatened the security of the United States, and I guess he thought he'd be immune to the consequences because he lives across the pond.

This is how it is!

the guy committed a crime.

But 'the penalty shall be equal to the crime'..

Look, the man doesnt deserve a life sentence over this.. guilty or not, that doesnt mean he deserves life... put yourself in his shoes.. you hack a system to find photos.. no one gets hurt.. you would bring up your illness aswell to save yourself from godamn prison.. just think about it eh?... I dont care WHAT the law says.. we as human being deserve to be treated properly.. the man is innocent of terror, that you cannot deny.

He was hacking US government networks "just to find some photos," huh? Around the time of the WTC attacks, no less?

Do you understand the implications of all this? If his wrist gets slapped, what will that say to all the other would-be hackers out there? No, this guy needs to be made into an example for others. No namby-pamby ASD excuses. I can understand not wanting to go to prison, but I also understand the priniciple of not doing the crime if you're too namby-pamby to do the time.

ok ok look, the government lies.. I hiiighlyy doubt that this man shut down security during crucial times.. he denied it himself so its only speculation, thats what the court is for.. not that the court isnt corrupt aswell.
The man didnt hurt anybody!.. what you're demonstrating is fascism.. make an example of them, to set in the FEAR.. thats socialist fascism my friend.

Fascism? No. Justice? Yes.

So both the government and its court-system is corrupt, so ... that must mean this hacker couldn't possible tell a lie or deceive anyone, right? I mean, computer hacking is an honest occupation, right?

Let's just see how this all plays out.