Jack Straw refuses to pardon Michael Shields

[NeoNaoNeo]

Scumbag that Straw.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Merseyside | Pardon appeal for Shields refused

To do it so soon after refusing Biggs aswell I think is a bit of a slap in the face. I don't like the association.

Dunno what this kid has to do tbh.

 

[Nebbiolo]

I don't really know much about the case, to be honest. But if he is innocent, and he's always maintained that, you've got to feel sorry for the lad. I'm not gonna score points from him because he's a Liverpool supporter. I'd like justice to be done, whatever that is in this case.

Is that his house, the huge Georgian thing with all the posters, near the cathedrals? It's a cracking house, not that that is important to any of this. I just wondered.

 

[davek]

I'm confused about this Shields stuff, tbh. I'm not looking to be controversial here, but isn't the case for the defence a bit ropey? Hingeing on a 'confession' from someone else who subsequently realised he'd held his hand up to another act on that same night and same incident, and that eye witnesses seen Shields in a police hallway before they ID'd him (the number of eye-witnesses pointing Shileds out being legion, btw)?

It seems like what's really the issue here is that a half-baked assurance from the Home Sec. that his case would be fast tracked hasn't come off and a campaign group has been thwarted. It's as if the thinking is that if you mount a big media campaign then you automatically should receive a victory...the squeekiest wheel strategy.

 

[davek]

I don't really know much about the case, to be honest. But if he is innocent, and he's always maintained that, you've got to feel sorry for the lad. I'm not gonna score points from him because he's a Liverpool supporter. I'd like justice to be done, whatever that is in this case.

Is that his house, the huge Georgian thing with all the posters, near the cathedrals? It's a cracking house, not that that is important to any of this. I just wondered.

Yes, Neb, I think it is, just off Brownlow Hill.

Like you, I dont want to score points, but it all looks a bit shouty to me. The case for his defence has never looked that strong. Our friend Ricky Tommo has been letting rip today and it was ll in this 'de lad 'as to be inncent, yer can see it in his eyes, kidda la...'.

 

[Azzbot]

'Oneslty Guv, I went back to my room an hour after winning the European cup'.

Lol at you Shields.

 

[NeoNaoNeo]

I'm confused about this Shields stuff, tbh. I'm not looking to be controversial here, but isn't the case for the defence a bit ropey? Hingeing on a 'confession' from someone else who subsequently realised he'd held his hand up to another act on that same night and same incident, and that eye witnesses seen Shields in a police hallway before they ID'd him (the number of eye-witnesses pointing Shileds out being legion, btw)?

It seems like what's really the issue here is that a half-baked assurance from the Home Sec. that his case would be fast tracked hasn't come off and a campaign group has been thwarted. It's as if the thinking is that if you mount a big media campaign then you automatically should receive a victory...the squeekiest wheel strategy.

The defence hinges on the fact that he was confirmed to be sleeping by a porter when the incident took place, that he was identified by locals after being given a white t-shirt to wear in the lineup (as Sankey, the man who commited the crime had worn, and despite Michael not taking a white shirt on holiday with him), and that Sankey has subsequently confessed to the bloody crime.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukn...orseless-thug-guilty-of-attempted-murder.html

Great article from the Telegraph.

And Azz, you're just beyond the ******* pale lad. You're the kind of supporter that brings our reputation down. I wouldn't be surprised if you were one of the lads who sings about him at the match. No shame.

 

[lordyefc]

as Sankey, the man who commited the crime had worn

Is it really that definite that Sankey committed the crime? As the article you link states, "What nobody seemed to ask was why the court should accept a confession that ran counter to all the known facts of the case."

 

[Azzbot]

The defence hinges on the fact that he was confirmed to be sleeping by a porter when the incident took place, that he was identified by locals after being given a white t-shirt to wear in the lineup (as Sankey, the man who commited the crime had worn, and despite Michael not taking a white shirt on holiday with him), and that Sankey has subsequently confessed to the bloody crime.


Innocent, gentle giant? Or remorseless thug guilty of attempted murder? - Telegraph

Great article from the Telegraph.

And Azz, you're just beyond the ******* pale lad. You're the kind of supporter that brings our reputation down. I wouldn't be surprised if you were one of the lads who sings about him at the match. No shame.

Stop trying to take the high ground because I have different opinions to you

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Always interesting to read the other view;

- Life - The Sofia Echo

“Three Bulgarian witnesses told the court that they saw Shields pick up an 8lb paving slab and bring it down on Mr Georgiev’s head, while Wilson and Thompson laid into him with hefty kicks. Daniela Krumova, a waitress working at Big Ben’s, identified Shields as the person who hit Mr Georgiev with the slab. ‘He was like mad,’ she said, ‘out of control.’ “

For Liverpool FC to allow a player like Jamie Callagher to join the media hysteria and even dedicate goals to his cause is unbelievable. Shields was tried in open court in a democratic country and so far the only doubt about this case is a statement from a fellow hooligan who is not man enough to show his face in court.

I really wonder how the British public and press would react if a Bulgarian were to commit a similar crime in the UK and have a friend make a statement back in Bulgaria. I really wonder if anyone would even consider sending the poor Bulgarian kid home just because his mum claims he’s so lovely...​

 

[Azzbot]

Always interesting to read the other view;

- Life - The Sofia Echo

It isn't it.

I love that "Because his Mum thinks he's so lovely"

 

[davek]

The defence hinges on the fact that he was confirmed to be sleeping by a porter when the incident took place, that he was identified by locals after being given a white t-shirt to wear in the lineup (as Sankey, the man who commited the crime had worn, and despite Michael not taking a white shirt on holiday with him), and that Sankey has subsequently confessed to the bloody crime.

The victim himself picked Sheilds out saying he recognised his face.

Sankey confessed (then retracted) to throwing a brick over his shoulder as he ran away, not the eye witness accounts of everyone talking about a shaven headed lad smashing a block of concrete on someone's head whilst standing over him.

As I say, not looking to be controversial, but all the talk about a 'miscarriage of justice' is stretching it a bit, imo.

 

[Goat]

WE ALL AGREE, That Michael Shields is............................

Oh wait, we aint doin that are we.

My bad.

 

[ohevertonohweloveverton]

I'm not that arsed but why should Straw be pressurised into letting Shields free if he has been found guilty? He's just bowing down to public pressure because Shields has always maintained his innocence, anyone can do that.

 

[DENNIS STEVENS]

wouldn't shields be too young to have coshed the driver?

 

[steevie]

I reckon he did it, he was so peeved off that Liverpool where trailing 3-0 at half time against Madrid, he went and took his frustrations out on someone totally innocent.